Sustainable Kitchen Countertops: Eco-Friendly, Stylish & Durable

Fratantoni Interior Designers • June 23, 2017

Upgrading your kitchen countertops is one of the most alluring kitchen improvements. If you’re considering replacing your kitchen countertops, it’s smart to go green with recycled countertops. Whether you’re on a tight budget or can afford something luxe, sustainable materials offer style and durability comparable to traditional countertops like granite or quartz, without compromising your home’s resale value.

What Are Green Countertops?

Green kitchen countertops feature recycled or sustainable content, low-toxicity binders, eco-friendly manufacturing processes, or a combination of these elements. Local production is also beneficial, as it reduces fuel consumption for transportation. The most important factor is durability—choosing a material that lasts means you won’t need to replace your countertops again, making it the greenest choice possible.

Top Green Kitchen Countertop Options

Here are three green kitchen countertop options that earn high marks for durability and style. For value, compare them to ubiquitous slab granite, which costs $60 to $100 per square foot.

1. Paper Composite Kitchen Countertops

It may seem counterintuitive, but recycled paper countertops are incredibly durable when bound with resin. They’re also easy to install, potentially saving on labor costs, which can constitute 80% of the total cost.

  • PaperStone: Meets Forest Stewardship Council certification requirements for sustainable forest management practices and is VOC-free.
  • Squak Mountain Stone: Made from recycled paper, recycled glass, reclaimed fly ash, and cement; resembles limestone and soapstone.
  • EcoTop: Consists of renewable bamboo fiber, post-consumer recycled paper, and water-based resin glue.

Paper Composite Kitchen Countertops

2. Reclaimed Wood Kitchen Countertops

Reclaimed wood countertops are green by definition because they reuse existing materials, keeping them out of the waste stream. Starting at $40 per square foot, they are typically more expensive than regular butcher block.

  • Craft-Art: Offers countertops made from reclaimed wood from older barns, warehouses, and commercial buildings.
  • Endurawood: Creates countertops from reclaimed fir and oak, including old wine vats.

Recycled Countertops

3. Recycled Glass Kitchen Countertops

Recycled glass countertops are not only beautiful and tough (you can set hot pots directly on them), but they also come at a cost comparable to slab granite, starting around $50 per square foot.

  • Vetrazzo: Makes countertops that are 85% recycled glass, with almost all glass coming from curbside recycling programs.
  • IceStone: Composed of 100% recycled glass in a cement substrate and meets Cradle to Cradle gold certification standards, ensuring no problematic chemicals and use of reusable energy.

Vetrazzo Countertops in Luxury Kitchen

Work With Fratantoni Interior Designers — The Top Luxury Interior Design Firm in Arizona

Enhance your kitchen with sustainable and stylish countertops by choosing Fratantoni Interior Designers, the top luxury interior design firm. Contact us today to create the perfect green kitchen for your home.

Photo Source: Pinterest

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