A counter top is a horizontal work surface in kitchens & food preparation areas. Usually, it is accompanied by cabinets above & below. A counter top can be made of many different materials, ranging from stone, to wood, to plastic, to tiles, & even steel, among numerous others.

But because of the growing awareness for the environment, there are now materials for counter tops that are not only durable, but also great looking and environment friendly. So if you’re searching for a new countertop & are leaning to items that’s a little gentler on the environment than laminate or stone, there are now many alternatives available that are made from recycled products, can be recycled at end-of-life — or are both recycled and recyclable — or are made from renewable resources.

Here are some of the greener counter top choices:

1. Stainless steel – On average, Stainless steel counter tops consist of 75% recycled steel & can contain up to 100% recycled content. They give off no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are non-porous & antibacterial. However, they do show fingerprints & scratch easily.

2. Recycled glass – Nowadays, there are lots of recycled glass counter tops on the market. Each kind has their own unique charm.

3. BioGlass – This is made of 100% recycled & recyclable glass. It can be used for backsplashes or counter tops & is available in 6 natural colours.

4. Alkemi – Alkemi counter tops are made from 35% “fine flake aluminum milling scrap” a post-industrial waste products. It is available in 12 colors and three different surface treatments (textured, classic & honed).

5. Paperstone – It is a material made from either 100% post-consumer cardboard or 100% post-consumer office paper fused with a non-petroleum based resin. It can be used for as kitchen and bathroom counter tops and comes in a variety of colours.

6. IceStone – This is made in Brooklyn, New York. The product uses 100% glass which is otherwise bound for landfill, mixed with concrete to create a surface that is twice as durable as marble. Like a stone product, it does need to be sealed on regularly. You can get it in several colours.

Find Out a large selection of table top and counter tops giving your kitchen a cleaner look.