Kitchens and food preparation areas have horizontal work areas called counter tops. Commonly, cabinets are installed above & below. Many different materials, such as stone, to wood, to plastic, to tiles, and even steel, among numerous others, can be used in making counter tops.
But because of the growing awareness for the environment, there are now materials for counter tops that are not only durable, but also great looking & environmentally friendly. So if you're looking for a new counter top and are leaning to materials that's a little kinder on the environment than laminate or stone, there are now several alternatives available that are created from recycled products, can be recycled at end-of-life -- or are both recycled & recyclable -- or are made from renewable resources.
Here are a few of the greener counter top alternatives:
1. Stainless steel - Stainless steel counter tops consist of, on average, 75% recycled steel and can contain up to 100% recycled content. They are non-porous & antibacterial, and emit no VOCs. However, they do show fingerprints & scratch quickly.
2. Recycled glass - There are many recycled glass counter tops on the market place these days. Each kind has their own unique charm.
3. BioGlass - This item is of 100% recyclable and recycled glass. It is available in 6 natural colours & can be used for backsplashes or counter tops.
4. Alkemi - This material is made from 35% "fine flake aluminum milling scrap," a post-industrial waste product. You can choose from 12 colours and three different surface treatments (textured, classic and honed).
5. Paperstone - It is a material made from either 100% post-consumer cardboard or 100% post-consumer office paper mixed with a non-petroleum based resin. It comes in a variety of colours and can be used for as kitchen & bathroom counter tops.
6. IceStone - This is made in Brooklyn, New York. The product uses 100% glass which is otherwise bound for landfill, mixed with concrete to create a surface that is twice as durable as marble. Like a stone product, it does need to be sealed on a regular basis. You can get it in a variety of colours.
But because of the growing awareness for the environment, there are now materials for counter tops that are not only durable, but also great looking & environmentally friendly. So if you're looking for a new counter top and are leaning to materials that's a little kinder on the environment than laminate or stone, there are now several alternatives available that are created from recycled products, can be recycled at end-of-life -- or are both recycled & recyclable -- or are made from renewable resources.
Here are a few of the greener counter top alternatives:
1. Stainless steel - Stainless steel counter tops consist of, on average, 75% recycled steel and can contain up to 100% recycled content. They are non-porous & antibacterial, and emit no VOCs. However, they do show fingerprints & scratch quickly.
2. Recycled glass - There are many recycled glass counter tops on the market place these days. Each kind has their own unique charm.
3. BioGlass - This item is of 100% recyclable and recycled glass. It is available in 6 natural colours & can be used for backsplashes or counter tops.
4. Alkemi - This material is made from 35% "fine flake aluminum milling scrap," a post-industrial waste product. You can choose from 12 colours and three different surface treatments (textured, classic and honed).
5. Paperstone - It is a material made from either 100% post-consumer cardboard or 100% post-consumer office paper mixed with a non-petroleum based resin. It comes in a variety of colours and can be used for as kitchen & bathroom counter tops.
6. IceStone - This is made in Brooklyn, New York. The product uses 100% glass which is otherwise bound for landfill, mixed with concrete to create a surface that is twice as durable as marble. Like a stone product, it does need to be sealed on a regular basis. You can get it in a variety of colours.
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