If you’re renovating your house, start from the kitchen. You can have a non-toxic cabinet finish and other sustainable materials, but what about the countertop? Are you sure if that’s eco-friendly? 

Installing a stunning countertop makes it the room's focal point, but not all countertops are eco-friendly. To illustrate: Granite is used for making countertops; granite is a non-renewable resource and often has to travel long distances, so if they are not sealed properly, it can off-gas radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas. 

Here are some eco-friendly countertop materials that can add a stunning look to your kitchen and also ensure you to be sustainable: 

PaperStone

This countertop material is made from recycled paper and petroleum-free resin. When it comes to durability, paperstone is as strong as steel. In addition, these materials are available in different sizes and thicknesses. Therefore they can be cut and optimized for your project. 

IceStone

Icestone is another excellent countertop material made from glass and concrete. Hundreds and thousands of wine bottles were dumped earlier. These glasses are diverted to icestone slabs by combining with concrete. 

Therefore, many glasses that were previously termed as garbage materials are now recycled into durable materials like icestone. Icestone is 75% recycled glass in weight. This makes an excellent sustainable option. 

Durat

Durat materials are made from 28% recycled plastic and over 200 tons of plastic have been converted from the waste and processed to make this countertop material. They are manufactured in Europe and the US. This is a sustainable option as this is made from recycled plastic. 

Lapitec Sintered Stone

Tired of stains and scratches on the countertop? Sintered stone is made by fusing the minerals into a completely impermeable surface by heat and pressure. Moreover, the integrated technology of sintered stone kills harmful bacteria on the surface. 

They are scratch and stain-resistant. But, most importantly, they also clean the air. This material has an integrated titanium dioxide technology that purifies the air and breaks down pollutants. 

Eco by Cosentino

If you prefer a quartz countertop, this is one of the excellent eco-friendly options. Eco by Cosentino is the company’s contribution to utilize waste. However, Cosentino still pushes the primary line on non-recycled quartz. 

Eco by Cosentino is 75% recycled material and contains materials like a mirror, glass, porcelain, earthenware and vitrified ash. Therefore, adding a quartz-like look to your kitchen can be a good option with a better background. 

GEOS

GEOS materials are made from recycled glass and resin surfaces and they sometimes offer a more durable surface than concrete options because they use petroleum-based or epoxy resins. At Least the glass is recycled in this process and not ended up in some landfill. 

TorZo

TorZo surfaces are appropriate for vanity tops or tabletops. They use wood fibers for manufacturing that would be left behind and use an acrylic technology that makes it ten times more durable. 

Reclaimed Wood

This is a great sustainable option if you don't mind the counter 'wearing in.' But, again, if you accept the wood limitations, reclaimed wood can be a very suitable countertop option.  

Richlite Composite Surface

Richlite is an FSC certified product. How is it made? Post-consumer recycled paper is stacked up and saturated with a phenolic resin and brought under heat and pressure. Due to the effect of heat and pressure, the resin sets permanently with zero off-gassing. 

Moreover, Richlite is a popular option for interior and exterior applications of kitchen and other bathrooms. This is gorgeous and attracts your attention. 

Bamboo

Bamboo can be a great surface option for countertops as it is economical and durable. However, not all bamboo surfaces are reliable enough. If you find a viable supplier like Plyboo, ecoFusion or Kerei, bamboo can be a good fit. 

Bamboo surfaces make a great vanity top or tabletop material. Bamboo is harder than many hardwoods and they last for a longer period like the wood countertops. There are also a lot of color options for bamboo countertops according to your preferences. 

Conclusion 

Kitchen countertops play a great role in your journey to a sustainable home. Cabinets and other kitchen options are quite easy to replace, but most of us are unaware of the countertop surfaces. Eco-friendly countertop options are not dull at all. They are just like the other countertop options, but the plus point is that they are organic and do not impact the environment and last longer than any general surface. Therefore, be wise to choose the right countertop according to your needs. 

Author bio:

Jared McMillen

Jared spent most of his working life in financial markets. He observed corporations making decisions for profit regardless of the impact on the environment. As these decisions were outside of Jared’s control, he decided to make changes in his own life to help our planet. 

Since then, he's been spreading the knowledge of how families and households can have a sustainable lifestyle and consume what's best for them.

Website: www.theecofriend.net/