Kitchens & food preparation areas have level work surfaces called counter tops. Commonly, cabinets are installed above and below. Several different materials, ranging from stone, to wood, to plastic, to tiles, & even steel, among many others, can be used in creating counter tops.
But because of the growing awareness for the environment, there are now items for counter tops that are not only durable, but also great looking and environmentally friendly. So if you're searching for a new counter top and are leaning to something that's a little gentler 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 and recyclable -- or are made from renewable resources.
Here are a few of the greener counter top alternatives:
1. Stainless steel - Stainless steel counter tops are made of, on average, 75% recycled steel and can contain up to 100% recycled content. They give off no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are non-porous & antibacterial. The only downside is they scratch and show fingerprints quickly.
2. Recycled glass - There are lots of recycled glass counter tops on the marketplace these days. Each kind has their own special charm.
3. BioGlass - This material is of 100% recyclable & recycled glass. It can be used for backsplashes or counter tops and is available in 6 natural colors.
4. Alkemi - Alkemi counter tops are made from 35% "fine flake aluminum milling scrap" a post-industrial waste products. It is available in twelve colors & three different surface treatments (textured, classic & honed).
5. Paperstone - Paperstone counter tops are created from either 100% post-consumer office paper or 100% post-consumer cardboard fused with a non-petroleum based resin. It can be used for as kitchen & bathroom counter tops & comes in a variety of colours.
6. IceStone - This is made in Brooklyn, New York. This product has a surface twice as durable as marble, because it uses 100% glass which is otherwise bound for landfill, mixed with concrete. Like a stone product, it has to be sealed on a regular basis. It is available in many different colors. - 29957
But because of the growing awareness for the environment, there are now items for counter tops that are not only durable, but also great looking and environmentally friendly. So if you're searching for a new counter top and are leaning to something that's a little gentler 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 and recyclable -- or are made from renewable resources.
Here are a few of the greener counter top alternatives:
1. Stainless steel - Stainless steel counter tops are made of, on average, 75% recycled steel and can contain up to 100% recycled content. They give off no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are non-porous & antibacterial. The only downside is they scratch and show fingerprints quickly.
2. Recycled glass - There are lots of recycled glass counter tops on the marketplace these days. Each kind has their own special charm.
3. BioGlass - This material is of 100% recyclable & recycled glass. It can be used for backsplashes or counter tops and is available in 6 natural colors.
4. Alkemi - Alkemi counter tops are made from 35% "fine flake aluminum milling scrap" a post-industrial waste products. It is available in twelve colors & three different surface treatments (textured, classic & honed).
5. Paperstone - Paperstone counter tops are created from either 100% post-consumer office paper or 100% post-consumer cardboard fused with a non-petroleum based resin. It can be used for as kitchen & bathroom counter tops & comes in a variety of colours.
6. IceStone - This is made in Brooklyn, New York. This product has a surface twice as durable as marble, because it uses 100% glass which is otherwise bound for landfill, mixed with concrete. Like a stone product, it has to be sealed on a regular basis. It is available in many different colors. - 29957
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