April 27, 2006
Eco-friendly Paper Countertops
Earth-friendly products aren't exactly a new idea, but today you have more options than ever before, and competition in the market has brought prices down, so they're generally no more expensive than traditional housing products. Eco-friendly versions may even be less expensive, such as in the case of countertops. We've mentioned counters made from recycled paper before (Richlite countertops), but there's more than one manufacturer making them. Paperstone composite countertops look like regular countertops, but they're made of 100% recycled paper and water-based resin. They won't cost you nearly as much as something like granite, which has to be quarried from the earth, a process that is destructive to the land. The Paperstone countertops come in sheets of 3/4" to 1 1/4" in thickness (it'll cost you about $780 for a 30 inch by 10 foot sheet that is 3/4" thick), and they are available in several colors. Some of the material's qualities are: heat tolerance, stain resistance, durability, and warm softness. You can find more information on Paperstone from the Environmental Home Center.
