The Perfect Countertops: Recycled Glass, Recycled Aluminum, Recycled Paper, Recycled Plastic, Wheat, Bamboo
By Lori Tobias
Eco-friendly countertop options are numerous—and every bit as functional, durable and aesthetically pleasing as the old standbys. Healthier for the home and for the earth, these surfaces are often made from recycled content or manufacturing byproducts previously considered waste.
Sorghum stalks
Sorghum is a grass used primarily for food products. In the past, sorghum stalks were burned after the seeds were removed. Today, manufacturers compress the stalks with a nontoxic adhesive, resulting in a unique striped effect. The surface comes in only one color, but it can be stained.
Sunflower seed hulls
The hard, thick shells of sunflower seeds—often removed in the factory and thrown in the trash—are processed with a nontoxic adhesive for a countertop that resembles granite.
Wheat
After the edible portion is harvested, wheat stalks are mixed with a nontoxic adhesive and pressed into boards. A more attractive alternative to medium density fiberboard, wheatboard is more fragile than other post-agricultural products and must be sealed correctly so it doesn’t swell, shrink or stain. Its color range is limited, and the cost is generally about 10 to 20 percent above a traditional high-end surface such as granite.
Recycled aluminum
These sleek countertops employ aluminum shavings from post-industrial milling combined with acrylic resin. Available in about a dozen colors and three finishes, the surface is easy to clean. Fabrication takes expert knowledge and a special saw blade.
Recycled glass
Shards from reclaimed bottles, set in slabs of poured concrete, make durable terrazzo-like countertops in a wide range of colors. “For people who cook a lot, I recommend darker colors,” says Natalie Freidberg, a green building consultant with All Shades of Green in Los Angeles. Recycled glass countertops are available from several manufacturers—try to find one near your home.
Bamboo butcher block
Bamboo butcher block, available in light and dark shades, is very durable. It’s important to buy from a manufacturer you trust to source quality bamboo—though it grows quickly and without pesticides or fertilizers, its popularity has led to poor harvesting techniques and the decimation of forests and other agricultural lands to make way for bamboo. The surface is designed to chop on but will likely scratch. It requires specialty installation and special care around sinks because the wood swells and shrinks when wet. Also, while bamboo is readily renewable, it’s not local for most. Ask the manufacturer about adhesives—most use some amount of formaldehyde in the glue.
Recycled paper
Concrete-like paper countertops were designed for commercial kitchens, Freidberg says, so they should wear well. The paper is compressed under high pressure with a phenolic resin that doesn’t outgas. Colors tend to be dark. Periodic finishing with natural oils or waxes is recommended.
Recycled plastic
Created by melting recycled plastic into a form, these durable countertops are made from basics we use every day: shampoo bottles, milk jugs, food containers. Most have a white base with colored speckles. About an inch thick and very lightweight, the countertops are easy to install and don’t need to be sealed, but you’ll want to use a cutting board. From a distance, they resemble laminate, but they cost about 20 percent more.
• DON’T skip your research when looking into countertop options. Your cooking habits, location and more will help narrow your choices.
• DO think ahead. Install your countertop so it can be easily removed in one piece and salvaged for reuse.
Resources
3form
(801) 649-2500
100 percent post-consumer recycled HDPE (plastic) countertops
Avonite Surfaces
(800) 354-9858
countertops from reclaimed solid surfaces
EcoTop Surfaces
(253) 507-4622
bamboo and recycled paper countertops
IceStone
(718) 624-4900
recycled glass and concrete countertops
Kirei
(619) 236-9924
agricultural fiber, wheat, bamboo, sorghum and coconut countertops
Paperstone
(360) 538-9815
100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and cardboard surfaces
Richlite
(888) 383-5533
recycled paper countertops
Shetkastone
(507) 357-4177
recycled paper countertops
TorZo Surfaces
(800) 770-7523
surfaces made from wheat straw, sunflower seed hulls, recycled wood chips and other fibers
Vetrazzo
(510) 234-5550
recycled glass countertops
Lori Tobias, a regular Natural Home contributor and a staff writer for The Oregonian, lives on the Oregon coast with her husband, Chan, and their three dogs.