Whether it’s making a statement or personalizing a room, countertops are a key way you can pull together your dream home. Handpicking your countertops can be a big decision, but can also be very fun. However, a lot of countertop options are not very eco-friendly. Lucky for you, the surfacing industry has spent years developing alternative products, utilizing new technology, and a lot of trial and error. There are some great options for picking out a sustainable countertop that will bring your home to life, but you might not know where to start. We can help!
Recycled Glass Countertops
IceStone and Glass Recycled Services provide beautiful and natural glass recycled surfaces that are environmentally friendly. The goal is to transform waste glass into something “re-usably” beautiful.
IceStone: How are they Sustainable?
- Countertops made from recycled glass.
- With recycled glass and zero chemical binders, IceStone is all about sustainability and functionality.
- Facility is day lit with skylights, uses a water recycling system, and steam power kilns, reducing energy consumption.
- Recycles over 90% of their waste.
- Any unusable glass or cement is recycled into a roadbed.
Glass Recycled Surfaces: How are they Sustainable?
- GRS is a combination of natural aggregates, pigments, and resin.
- GRS turns glass bottles, industrial glass and porcelain into sophisticated countertops.
- GRS is scratch, heat, and stain resistant. It is non-porous and a lighter weight than most surface materials.
- GRS countertops are cost competitive with quartz or granite and provide you with long term value.
Sintered Stone Countertops
Sintered Stone is 100% natural based on 3 groups of elements: 1. Minerals from granite: quartz and feldspar which provide the product with hardness and strength 2. Minerals from glass and silica that provide chemical stability 3. Natural oxides that offer chromatic properties. Sintered Stone is made from the combination of raw materials that goes through a press in a first phase where pressure of up to 400 bars is applied. In a second phase, the slabs are placed in an oven where they are cooked at temperatures of more than 1200ºC. This process produces an ultra-compact decorative full-body surface.
Neolith Countertops: How are they Sustainable?
- Up to 52% of any Neolith countertop is made of recycled raw materials.
- Resin-free. Does not release any harmful substance into the environment.
- To attain the highly-prized carbon neutral status Neolith® followed the internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG) and implemented a dynamic, innovation-led sustainability strategy coupled with tactical, high value carbon off-setting.
The surfacing industry has spent years developing alternative products, utilizing new technology, and a lot of trial and error. Cutstone Company is proud to utilize these amazing eco-friendly options to provide our clients with the ability to help the world become more sustainable. Give us a call today and let’s get started building your dream space!