One of the broadest spectrums of product lines when finishing out your home comes when selecting countertops. One way to narrow down your options is by choosing a material that is more sustainable. Many natural products are deceivingly more harmful to nature than their artificial counterparts. A way of exceeding a natural product is by the reduction of virgin material through upcycling. The book Cradle to Cradle defines upcycling as “the practice of taking something that is disposable or downcycled and transforming it into something of greater use or value.”

Almost any product can be recreated into an usable surface. EnviroGlas, headquartered here in Plano, has wisely used abundant glass waste in their city to create a highly sustainable terrazzo product. They use 100% post-consumer recycled glass and it’s produced right here in the metro! 3form, Vetrazzo, and IceStone have similar products that upcycle polyethelene and glass waste. Eco by Consentino is an exciting new product that contains 75% post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content bound by corn oil resin. Its use of waste materials that cannot be used in any other industrial product gives them approval from numerous environment certifiers. It is also headquarters in Texas.

Avoid metal counters unless they are recycled. Mining for steel and aluminum bares a heavy burden on the environment. Alkemi, utilizes 60% post-industrial aluminum and polymeric resin to give you a metal product while minimizing waste and destructive mining.

Stone is a facet of nature but the means by which it is extracted for the earth is not. Granite is preferable to marble due to its regional quarries and energy requirements. Quartz, soapstone, sandstone and slate are closer to the surface and thus less impactful. Be mindful the mining fields do not endanger animal wildlife. Composite stone products like those from Squack Mountain Stone bind recycled products with a fibrous cement to resemble soapstone.

Paper, wood, and ceramic products can also be sustainable but often carry a negative perception. So when selecting a countertop; consider the extraction and production process, recycled content, durability and air quality so you can regard its beauty as well as its resourcefulness.

American Clay natural Earth Plasters bring the appealing finishes of Nature to your Home, Office, School, Business, anywhere you want to add healthful beauty to your interior walls and ceilings. Manufactured in and using materials from the United States, American Clay uses natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and vibrant natural pigments in each of our three beautiful finishes: “Loma,” “Porcelina,” & “Marittimo.”

American Clay Earth Plasters surround your family or workplace with the warm beauty of soothing texture and rich color – far exceeding the interior surfaces produced by traditional paint, stucco, or other finishes. Earth Plasters are non-dusting, mold and fade resistant, repairable and moisture controlling.

Natural Earth Plasters from American Clay are easily adapted to Do-It-Yourself projects. The Traditional and Classic method of creating American Clay surfaces is non-toxic, easy to repair, easily reworked, and exciting to learn.

www.americanclay.com

American Clay may contribute up to 7 LEED credits (8 if you include the recycling area as all of American Clay’s packaging is recyclable), and 5 in most areas. For more information on LEED please go to:  http://www.americanclay.com/pdfs/LEEDPoints.pdf.

I Have worked with American Clay now for over a year, with many different home builders. All have absolutely loved the product, and were very surprised to see how easy it is to repair. Aside from this, American Clay is by far my favorite wall finish to apply.

PremRock Drywall Services, is a longstanding applicator here in Dallas/Fort Worth Area. If you need further information on this product, please email:  jim@premrock.com.