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Eco-friendly countertops are the next big trend in terms of sustainability and renovations. Learn more here.
The more homeowners prioritize sustainability in their renovations, the more growth the eco-friendly countertop market sees. In fact, according to the U.S. Green Building Council, sustainable home improvements are now a driving force in renovation decisions, with a growing percentage of homeowners ranking environmental impact as a key factor in their kitchen remodeling choices.
Why? Because many are finding out that the traditional countertop industry contributes to environmental challenges thanks to its quarrying, processing, and transportation impacts. Innovative materials and manufacturing processes are revolutionizing the eco-friendly countertop market.
In today’s modern world, it’s easier than ever to find durable and aesthetically pleasing alternatives that align with those with a personal commitment to sustainability. This includes materials like porcelain that are reclaimed and reused materials from landfills. Plus, recycled glass countertops do the same.
So, are you in the market to improve your green-friendly home? Renovating with eco-friendly countertops is a straightforward way to enhance your home’s design while increasing your sustainability practices. At AP Marble, our team is committed to eco-conscious practices in our product offerings.
Keep reading our ultimate guide to learn more about the impact of traditional countertops, the top eco-friendly countertop materials to consider, and the factors to consider when deciding which is right for you!
Through the lens of sustainability, every manufacturing process is getting a second look for areas of improvement. One area of concern is the traditional processing of natural stone. The production of conventional stone countertops comes with a significant environmental burden. Let’s learn more about the process to understand better.
A countertop’s journey starts with quarrying, where massive blocks of natural stone are extracted from the earth. To do so, heavy machinery (using gas!) is used. As are explosion techniques that can permanently alert local landscapes and ecosystems. This process alone not only disrupts natural habitats but also generates noise pollution and can affect local water tables and soil stability.
From there, the manufacturing process demands significant energy to cut, shape, and polish the stone slabs for the final finish. Industrial cutting tools and polishing machines operate continuously during this process, consuming large amounts of electricity typically generated from fossil fuels.
The environmental footprint grows larger when considering transportation—raw stone materials often travel thousands of miles from quarries to processing facilities, distribution centers, and local retailers, creating a substantial carbon footprint at each step of the journey.
Last but not least, let’s talk about waste. The process above is responsible for a large amount of waste generated, considering up to 30% of quarried stone is in unused fragments and dust. Much of which cannot be effectively recycled or repurposed. Finally, the finishing process introduces environmental hazards through synthetic sealants, resins, and chemical treatments necessary to enhance the stone's durability and stain resistance.
These chemicals, often containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can persist in the environment and potentially leach into soil and water systems during both the manufacturing process and eventual disposal. Overall, these impacts raise concerns about countertop sustainability and the increase of eco-friendly countertop elections.
So, now that you know more about how traditional countertops impact the environment... you're likely wondering, what types of eco-friendly countertop materials are available today? Without further ado, here are some of the most popular countertop options that satisfy sustainability.
Porcelain is one of today's most luxurious and innovative sustainable countertop materials. Made from reclaimed porcelain, this innovative material transforms waste, whether consumer or industrial, into eco-friendly surfaces that are as durable as they are stunning. To do so, the manufacturing process begins by collecting discarded porcelain from various sources, including:
Once collected, the materials are thoroughly cleaned, crushed, and reconstituted using extreme compression and advanced binding technologies. The result is a “recycled” eco-friendly surface that rivals traditional stone in both beauty and strength. For those considering reclaimed porcelain for their eco-friendly renovations, have no fear—it's as durable as other options.
The finished product offers high resistance to scratches, heat, and stains while requiring minimal maintenance beyond routine cleaning with mild soap and water. From an environmental perspective, reclaimed porcelain significantly reduces landfill waste and requires substantially less energy to produce compared to quarrying and processing natural stone.
Like traditional countertops, the material can be used (and shines!) through a wide range of applications, including kitchen countertops and backsplashes, bathroom vanities, and event full-height wall installations. The material is available in various colors, patterns, and finishes that can mimic natural stone or create entirely unique aesthetics.
All in all, reclaimed porcelain offers designers and homeowners the perfect blend of sustainability and style.
Like reclaimed porcelain, recycled glass surfaces use glass pieces to form all new countertop masterpieces. These eco-friendly countertops are made of discarded glass bottles, windows, and industrial glass waste, turning trash into treasure with sophisticated kitchen surfaces as the end result.
The production process involves crushing recycled glass into tiny particles, which are then combined with a cement-based or resin binder and pigments under carefully controlled conditions. This mixture is molded and cured to create surfaces that contain up to 80% recycled material by volume.
While results may vary, every finished product is uniquely its own and visually striking in its own way. The countertops can range from subtle, monochromatic designs to dramatic compositions where glass fragments create a terrazzo-like appearance. Many offer light-catching properties that add depth and character to any kitchen space.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, recycled glass countertops are incredibly environmentally friendly, not only diverting tons and tons of glass from landfills but also requiring less energy for production than quarried or engineered stone like quartz.
As for durability, surprisingly, recycled glass countertops are remarkably resilient for daily use, offering high levels of resistance to heat and scratches. Be aware if you opt for cement-based varieties, they may require periodic sealing to prevent staining. Another thing to be mindful of is that the occasional chip can occur with heavy impact.
All in all, with the right maintenance routine and proper care, these sustainable surfaces maintain their beauty for decades, making them a practical choice for eco-conscious homeowners.
Have no fear; if you plan to (or your budget plans to…) go the traditional materials route, there are conventional countertop options that are sustainable, too. For instance, the ever-popular granite is considered environmentally friendly thanks to its long-lasting nature. Its countertops are timeless and, therefore, often kept by generations of families even after the home's sale, reducing waste back into the world.
Two other natural stone options that provide eco-friendly benefits for homeowners are marble and quartzite. In general, what can be more “green” than sourcing your countertop from the earth? Because these countertops do not require synthetic binding agents or energy-intensive processes for manufacturing, they’re considered highly environmentally conscious.
Unlike manufactured materials like laminate or even porcelain that rely on petroleum-based resins and factory production, these natural stones are simply extracted, cut, and polished, maintaining their pure geological composition that formed over millions of years. Speaking of millions of years, the surfaces offer high durability, allowing them to last for generations with proper care, like granite.
This significantly reduces the need for replacement and associated environmental impact. Even more, marble and quartzite are entirely recyclable, can be cleaned with simple pH-neutral soap solutions, and don't release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your living space.
These natural stone options are also just that—au naturel. That means it doesn’t require extra energy or fossil fuels to manufacture them, contributing further.
To contribute to the movement towards eco-friendly countertops, AP Marble is doing its part with its environmental commitment. This includes:
While we still offer traditional countertops, every little part towards a more eco-friendly future helps. Whether you’re looking to source reclaimed porcelain or other alternatives, the team at AP Marble is ready and willing to help.
The journey to selecting the perfect eco-friendly countertop extends far beyond just choosing an attractive surface. As homeowners increasingly embrace sustainable kitchen solutions, understanding the full scope of factors that influence both environmental impact and practical considerations becomes crucial. Before making your final decision, carefully evaluate these key elements:
In this guide, you not only learned the benefits of sourcing eco-friendly countertops and making your next renovation or new build more sustainable. The next step? Partnering with a supplier that equally prioritizes sustainability and offers a wide selection of eco-friendly countertops and beyond.
AP Marble is proud to offer homeowners and business owners alike a wide selection of porcelain and other sustainable countertop options. With over 20+ years in the business, we provide exemplary service and offer a wide selection of material options, from the eco-friendly porcelain, to marble, granite, and more.
For your next kitchen, basement, bathroom, or outdoor kitchen build or redesign, look no further than the experts at AP Marble for your countertop needs. Get started by browsing our available products now, or get in touch to schedule an in-person consultation at our warehouse to see the stones up-close and personal.
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