Greetings!
 If getting great-looking countertops while being eco-friendly is
important to your clients, here are a number of
simple strategies you can take to maximize the "green" potential of your countertops, such as replacing
some of the virgin materials in concrete with recycled waste. What's
more, you can often save production costs and reduce the use of toxic chemicals by going
green. For more valuable tips on using recycled content in your countertops and to learn more about marketing green concrete, a seminar on the topic is being offered at the Concrete Decor Show this March (see details on the left).
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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1. Use an eco-friendly concrete mix
Replace some of the cement in your countertop mix with
pozzolans such as fly ash, slag cement, and silica fume. These industrial waste byproducts shouldn't affect the quality, performance, or even the cost of
your countertops, and they may even enhance the concrete's durability and
strength.
Learn more: What Are Pozzolans?
Fly Ash: Making Concrete Stronger, More Durable, and Easier to Work With
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2. Buy local materials
Eliminate the consumption of fuel required to truck in concrete countertop
materials and products by using materials produced near your shop, such as aggregate from a local river or quarry and cement produced in a
regional plant.
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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. For ideas, see Put Recycled Decorative Accents In Your Countertops.
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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 using nontoxic form-release agents and sealers. Newer products made from biodegradable
vegetable oils are a great alternative because they are odorless, contain no
harmful chemicals, and won't affect indoor air quality. Learn more.
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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 your clients well for decades - -both functionally and
aesthetically -- and are unlikely to need replacement. This both conserves
materials and eliminates waste.
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