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Five Easy Ways to Go Green with
Concrete Countertops
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Greetings!
 Because of its low impact on the environment, concrete is one of
the greenest countertop materials you can use. To make your countertops
even more sustainable, there are a number of simple steps you can take to maximize their green potential, such as replacing some of
the virgin materials in concrete with recycled waste materials. What's more, you can often save money and reduce the use of toxic chemicals by going green. If getting great-looking countertops while being eco-friendly is important to you, be sure to discuss these five strategies with your countertop fabricator.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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1.
Use an Eco-Friendly Concrete Mix
Ask you contractor to replace some of the cement in the countertop mix with industrial waste byproducts such
as fly ash, slag cement and silica fume. Using these byproducts should not affect the quality, performance or even the cost of your countertop, and they may even enhance the concrete's durability and strength (see Fly Ash: Making Concrete Stronger, More Durable, and Easier to Work With).
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2. Stay Local
Eliminate the consumption of fuel required to truck in concrete
countertop materials and products. Ask your contractor to use materials produced near your home, such as aggregate from a local river or quarry and cement produced in a regional plant. If you use a local countertop manufacturer, it's likely your
countertop will be made locally too, either in the contractor's shop or
even in your own home
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3. Put Recycled Accents In Your Countertops
A great way to green up your countertops while making them more
aesthetically appealing and distinctive is to use recycled or salvaged
materials as decorative accents, such as pieces of
recycled glass to add color and sparkle and recycled metal to
create eye-catching inlays (see Concrete Countertop Inserts and Inlays).
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4. Use Nontoxic Form-Release Agents and Sealers
In addition to the concrete that goes into your countertops, you should
also investigate the products being used to facilitate mold removal and
to protect the concrete surface from stains. Newer products made from
biodegradable vegetable oils are a great alternative because they are odorless, contain no harmful chemicals, and won't affect the indoor air quality of your home.
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5. Go with a Timeless Design
When you combine timeless design with the inherent durability of
concrete, your countertops will serve you well for decades - -both
functionally and aesthetically -- and are unlikely to need
replacement. This not only conserves materials and eliminates waste, it
saves you the expense and hassle of ripping out worn, outdated
countertops.
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