A green kitchen begins with the most eco-friendly countertop. You want something that is as durable or beautiful as Corian or granite, but measures up to the highest standards for your family’s health and the environment. Luckily, many products you thought were not “green” may actually surprise you, as more countertop companies are now making their entire manufacturing operations sustainable.
However, out of the slew of options out there, there are a few that are not so eco-friendly. Granite, marble, quartz, engineered stone, and laminates are usually not the most sustainable. The use of raw materials is the biggest factor here. Granite, for example, requires lots of energy and disruption of land to be mined. Engineered stone, comprised of quartz, shares this negative impact on the environment, and additionally uses some harsh pigments in its production. Most of your traditional options use sealants with VOCs and other environmental contaminants. Another issue with granite is the risk of radon radiation into your home.
So what options are out there for the health and eco-conscious? The coolest alternatives are surfaces made from recycled materials, most notably glass. Companies like IceStone and Vetrazzo have paved the way for extremely durable, beautiful countertops made from at least 75% recycled glass with a concrete composite. IceStone is particularly committed to green design; it has been awarded the coveted MBDC Cradle to Cradle award for the thoroughness of its sustainable practices.
In addition to glass, other recycled products can be transformed into your kitchen surface. One company, called Paperstone, uses compressed recycled paper and petroleum-free resins made from cashew nuts! You wouldn’t think paper would act as a very resilient countertop, but this product is actually incredibly durable and has received great ratings.
What about wood and concrete? Concrete is a bit less expensive, very heat resistant and can be morphed into any shape you desire. It is also considered to be “green” by many sources, as recycled aggregate is often used. Its also much easier to chose your own sealer: low VOC-emitting sealants are easy to find. Wood surfaces are generally durable and easy to clean; they are also available with forest products certified by FSC, making them just as green as the recycled glass.
The key to finding an eco-friendly surface is to be prepared for the maze of impressive sounding eco-labels. To be competitive, all top-of-the-line countertop companies are saying they’re “green” in some way. This is particularly true with the granite, quartz and marble countertop manufacturers, who may have made some green steps in their operations, but at the end of the day, mining is still incredibly environmentally unfriendly. Make sure you do the research on all of the eco certifications before you are greenwashed into thinking a product is completely sustainable.
