When it comes to living a green lifestyle, making small changes in your home can make a big difference. One easy change is upgrading your kitchen countertops to a sustainable material.
Eco-friendly countertops are durable and beautiful, offering a unique style for your kitchen. Explore these options to find the right fit for your home.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is a popular kitchen countertops option for eco-conscious homeowners. It’s available in a wide range of natural patterns and thicknesses, adding a touch of rustic beauty to any kitchen. Plus, it reduces waste and supports sustainable forest management practices.
Another great green alternative is concrete counters made from recycled materials. These countertops are 80% recycled, and they eliminate the need for raw materials that are not renewable. They also produce far fewer VOCs than traditional counters.
If you want to go even further, consider a counter made from bamboo, a fast-growing renewable resource that’s strong and durable. It’s also easy to keep clean, making it an ideal choice for a family-friendly kitchen.
PaperStone
Paper countertops are a real thing, and they’re quite durable. Made from a combination of post-consumer recycled paper waste and petroleum-free resins, they are the greenest sustainable composite materials on the market today. The counters are also VOC-free, emitting no formaldehyde and no radon gases. They’re easy to work with, making them a great option for DIY installers.
PaperStone comes in a range of earth-tone colors that blend well with any style kitchen. Its surface is heat-resistant and can be wiped down with warm soapy water. A light spray or paste wax coating is recommended to protect the countertop from oils, but it requires minimal maintenance in the long run.
Another popular choice for eco-friendly counters is icestone, which uses crushed recycled glass to create a non-porous surface that won’t grow bacteria or mold. This material is a good alternative to granite, requiring less energy to produce and transport. Icestone is available in various hues to complement any kitchen design.
Paper Composite
Paper may be one of many materials that come to mind when considering eco-friendly kitchen countertops. Still, companies make counters of a densely packed mix of post-consumer recycled paper and different resins. Their counters are GreenGuard certified and contain no formaldehyde, making them a healthier alternative to quartz and granite countertops.
These counters are tough, scratch-resistant, heat-tolerant, and easy to clean. They are also non-porous, which prevents bacteria and mold growth. They can be sealed with a food-safe natural oil that adds a sheen and protects against spills and smudges.
It’s important to research the companies producing these counters to ensure they operate ethically. Checking how they treat their employees and if their manufacturing process is free of harmful chemicals will help you feel confident in your purchase. This type of countertop is a great choice for homeowners who want to minimize their carbon footprint while keeping their kitchen looking modern and stylish.
Recycled Surfaces
The good news is that eco-friendly countertop materials are now more stylish, durable and affordable. And, unlike granite, they won’t ding your home’s resale value.
Try recycled glass and cement countertops for a sleek, modern look. These non-porous materials make them excellent choices for keeping bacteria at bay. They are also heat, water, humidity and chemical resistant.
This type of countertop features crushed glass bonded with resin or cement and can be made to appear transparent, frosted or completely opaque. Choose a brand that uses low-toxicity binders and is manufactured locally, if possible.
The key to finding a sustainable countertop is ensuring that the materials used are ethically sourced. Look for a manufacturer that prioritizes worker safety and pays its employees fairly. Also, choosing a local manufacturer will reduce the energy used to produce and transport your counters. This is the best way to minimize your environmental impact.
