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Green Countertops

There are many eco-friendly countertops on the market today that hold up well under heavy use. They combine natural and man-made materials in composite slabs, and usually integrate recycled materials as well, while remaining very attractive and utilitarian alternatives to mainstream countertops.

IceStone countertops (www.icestone.biz) are made of cement and glass, 75% of it recycled. Thousands of pieces of polished glass (which used to be beer bottles, windshields, or traffic lights) are set in a base of concrete, and these surfaces are available in almost any color. Vetrazzo (www.vetrazzo.com) is similar product, using 80% recycled glass. Vetrazzo is more highly customized and is made with larger chunks of glass. In addition, EnviroSlab (www.enviroglasproducts.com) sets recycled glass into a color-pigmented epoxy resin, but the epoxy resin base is less eco-friendly than the cement base.

Paper-and-resin composites are made from recycled newspaper, cardboard, and waste paper. These slab counters can be sawn, drilled, screwed, or routed just like wood or Corian, and come in a variety of colors. PaperStone (www.paperstoneproducts.com) leads the industry and is composed of a natural resin and 100% recycled post-consumer paper, resulting in a strong and durable end product.

Alkemi (www.renewedmaterials.com) uses curled shavings of shredded scrap aluminum embedded in a resin that comes in dozens of colors. The metal reflects light, resulting in a modern space-age look that is also durable and heat-resistant.

With so many top-of-the-line alternatives, making your new or existing home more eco-friendly is easier and more beautiful than ever.

Posted by Urban Discoveries Living . on 07/25/2008 05:28 PM

Comments (4)

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4 Comments on Green Countertops

JUL

2008

We love our slab granite counters, window sills and fireplace surround. As we replace materials/systems in our home, we are replacing them with green items. Trying to tread lightly on our earth.

Happy Selling,

Steven Simmons & Marti Schmidt, Realtors, Prudential GHP, beautiful Ocean Shores, Washington

This is good info. Always good to know about green materials for those who are remodeling and such.

JUL

2008

Eco Precast, LLC

714-954-0161 office

714-954-0163 fax

info@urbanslabs.com

www.urbanslabs.com

RECYCLED GLASS CEMENT SURFACE PROVIDE GREEN SOLUTION FOR COUNTERTOPS

Santa Ana, CA-July 1, 2008-In an effort to support the California Department of Conservation, Eco Precast^TM has announced the manufacture of Urbanslabs^TM sustainable cement-based slabs now available for a variety of residential, commercial and hospitality surface applications. Crafted by hand, Urbanslabs^TM consist of 50% recycled, post-consumer glass containers such as beer, wine and liquor bottles that are commonly sent to landfill and 10% recycled post industrial waste. This patent pending process contains no resinous binders.

"Eco Precast is taking a truly innovative look at the use of waste as a resource," said architect Jorden Segraves, chair of the United States Green Building Council's Pacific Regional and Orange County chapters. "Urbanslabs^TM represent a completely new use for discarded glass. The company is effectively replacing a farmed resource with a reclaimed or "found" resource that fills a unique niche in the industry and product market."

Urbanslabs^TM are manufactured using a proprietary cement matrix. Light weight 3/4" (2cm) and 1¼" (3cm) Urbanslabs^TM are made possible by an advanced mix design and unique manufacturing process.

Urbanslabs^TM can be cut, bull-nosed, seamed and polished just like the fabrication of natural stone slabs such as granite. Urbanslabs^TM can be utilized for a wide array of surface uses including countertops, bathroom vanities, shower panels, floor tiles, backsplash tiles, bathroom stall dividers, wall clad panels, outdoor living surfaces and for furniture tops.

Available in seven colors, Urbanslabs^TM coordinate with a variety of décor themes. Eco Precast unique surface-polishing process exposes the glass and provides excellent scratch resistance, while offering a refreshing new look to the industry. A Zero VOC sealer is applied to the Urbanslabs^TM at time of manufacture to provide outstanding protection from stains.

Urbanslabs^TM offer an economical investment compared to poured-in-place and pre-cast concrete countertops, which costs hundreds of dollars per square foot installed.

Urbanslabs^TM are available in the following dimensions, 8' X 3' X ¾" (2cm) and 10' X 5' 6" X 1¼" (3cm). Custom sizes, colors and finishes can be created upon request.

To locate a distributor or for technical questions, please call 714-954-0161.

"SUSTAINABLE SURFACES FOR URBAN LIVING^TM"

AUG

2008

those are beautiful counter tops, even if they were not eco friendly

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