Countertops:

There are several options for sustainable countertops including solid surfaces, wood, and recycled surfaces. A solid surface material is a non-porous plastics resin that contains mineral fillers that takes on the appearance of different types of materials including granite, limestone, and concrete. A few of these products include Richlite which uses pulp from sustainably managed forests, Paperstone which utilizes 100% post-consumer recycled paper pulp, and Corian's Terra Collection that contains 6-13% pre-consumer recycled content.

Wood countertops have been popular for several years, especially for focal point areas like an island top. Maple butcher block is usually made from recycled material from the furniture and flooring industries. You can also use any type of wood with an FSC lable (Forest Stewardship Council certified), salvaged, reclaimed wood, or a species that grows rapidly like lyptus or bamboo. Choose a nontoxic sealer finish like olive or linseed oils or other water-based, food grade, low VOC sealers.

Concrete is highly durable and considered to be a green product because it is usually locally produced and has virtually no waste. You can get it with glass bits, marbles, shards of recycled metal, and it is recyclable as a slab or crushed aggregate. In order to be stain resistant, you can use sealers that are environmentally friendly like olive or linseed oils or other water-based, food-grade, low VOC finishes.