5 GREEN KITCHEN COUNTERTOP ALTERNATIVES

The countertop is one of the most crucial elements of a kitchen. It is used for plenty of purposes from cutting and chopping fruits and vegetables to installing the stove, sink, and other kitchen appliances. Further, the look of the kitchen countertop has a huge impact on your kitchen designs. Hence, you should always pay heed to the design of the kitchen countertop. Whether you are planning to build a new countertop or renovate the old one, put some thought into choosing the material used. There are plenty of options available in the market. However, the best kitchen countertop is an eco-friendly countertop. Mentioned below are a few eco-friendly kitchen decor ideas you can opt for:

01 of 05 Recycled glass slab countertops instead of natural stone

The most commonly used countertop materials are granite and marble. They are coveted for their natural and elegant look. However, using these natural resources depletes the earth’s resources. Hence, it is better to switch to engineered stones that have the same luxurious look. But, the manufacturing processes used to manufacture engineered stones are not very eco-friendly. Concrete countertops are a greener alternative as well but some people do not like the look. You can consider opting for one of the modern stone alternatives made up of various recycled materials like fly ash, sunflower seed hulls, etc. People often cannot distinguish between the two.

02 of 05 Paper composite countertops instead of laminate

Laminate countertops are very commonly found in many households. They are preferred because of their elegant finish and cheap rates. However, it is better to avoid laminate countertops as the resins used in the manufacturing process contain formaldehyde. This compound diminishes the air quality of the home. You can get the same durability and look offered by laminates without the harmful compounds by using paper composite countertops. It is basically post-consumer recycled paper with some resins to make it waterproof and heat resistant.

03 of 05 FSC-certified wood or reclaimed wood

Using wooden countertops in the kitchen is a great kitchen decor idea. The natural finish looks very welcoming. But, it takes years to grow hardwood trees used to make the countertops. Hence, you should always opt for FSC-certified wood or reclaimed wood to make the kitchen countertops. With Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood or reclaimed wood, you can stay assured that trees were not cut down to use the wood for making countertops. Also, consider choosing native wood options so that you can reduce the expenses required for transportation. You can consider using bamboo also as it is a rapidly renewable resource.

04 of 05 Recycled glass tiles instead of ceramic tiles 

Ceramic tiles are preferred by many homeowners because they are available in various designs and at cheap rates. However, it is not the best option if you want to opt for eco-friendly countertops. Recycled materials are not always used for manufacturing ceramic tiles. For greener options, consider choosing recycled glass tiles that are manufactured using recycled materials mostly (even up to 100 percent). Also, recycled glass tiles are easy to recycle and consume very little energy during manufacturing. You can easily find recycled glass tiles in various colors, designs, and styles for your kitchen design. In some cases, recycled glass tiles may not prove to be the best idea. Despite being durable, there are always high chances of cracks, chips, and scratches with recycled glass tiles.

05 of 05 Consider recycled aluminum instead of stainless steel 

Choosing countertop materials that contain nearly 50 to 60 percent recycled materials is a great kitchen decor idea. Recycled aluminum countertops look great in modern kitchen ideas. They are extremely durable and have a stylish and sleek look. Also, opting for stainless steel is not an eco-friendly approach. Mining metal can result in various types of pollution and deteriorates the quality of the soil.

It is time for everyone to step up and take care of the environment. Ignoring the importance of using eco-friendly alternatives will increase global warming further. To reduce the amount of waste produced and ensure that the environment does not get damaged, always opt for eco-friendly approaches.

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