With so many options, which material do you choose and what’s the environmental impact of your decision? Hopefully, this guide will give you enough information to make the best decision for your needs.
Butcher Block – Individual pieces of wood are bonded together to make a work and cutting surface. It is easy to sand out small nicks and scratches. It is not recommended for use near sinks or dishwashers as they are prone to water damage. Hot cookware can scorch the surface. Sealing and periodic treatment is recommended as wood is porous. The environmental impact of using wood really depends on the way the material was grown, harvested, and processed. Select FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood, reclaimed wood, or non-commercial regional species. Materials should meet US FDA requirements for food contact.
Concrete – Made from cement, sand, stone and other fillers. You may also incorporate recycled materials such as glass into the concrete mix (some local products contain up to 85% recycled glass). However, cement production is energy intensive; approximately one tonne of greenhouse gases are released for every tonne of cement produced. Concrete will tolerate hot cookware but it is porous so sealing and periodic treatments will be necessary. Many sealers are toxic so be sure to use products approved for eating surfaces such as food-grade mineral oil. We also recommend that you use non-toxic, natural pigments mixed into the concrete for integral colour rather than surface-applied stains. It is also very heavy and may require cabinet reinforcement.
Engineered Stone – Quarts crystals and ground quartz, pigments and polyester resin are combined and poured into a mould to create a dense slab resembling granite. The slab is then distributed to regional fabricators. It is durable and very difficult to scratch, cut, or stain. It will tolerate hot cookware with no sealers or treatments needed and is naturally hygienic. However, it is a non-renewable resource and most are manufactured in Europe so shipping this heavy material long distances results in environmental impacts. We recommend Cambria.
Laminates – Layers of phenolic resin-soaked paper are cured under high pressure and finished with a decorative surface. Although laminates are non-toxic, the resin is made from phenol and formaldehyde, two toxic chemicals. Although it is hygienic, it is not very durable; seams and nicks & scratches will show while hot cookware can scorch the surface. Further the substrate may be prone to water damage. Choose products made with water-based rather than solvent-based resins. If you are going custom, you should be able to choose a base other than particleboard like exterior-grade FSC-certified plywood or formaldehyde-free, medium density fibreboard (MDF) made with exterior-grade resins. Also request adhesives that contain no or low VOCs which are harmful to air quality.
Natural Linoleum – Made from linseed oil, wood flour, pine resin, and pigments with a plant fibre backing (all renewable products), natural linoleum is also called the 40-year floor, due to its durability. You can apply it to substrates for use as countertops, just like laminates. Because it needs a substrate, choose carefully and be prepared for possible water damage. It has anti-static qualities thus repels dust and can provide an antibacterial surface. Hot cookware can scorch the surface.
Natural Stone – Quarried from around the world, environmental impacts depend on quarrying and production practices as well as transport distance. It is also a readily available salvage and remnant item. Salvaged material is available at a fraction of the cost (and environmental impact) of new stone. It is durable and can tolerate hot cookware well. However, it may prove difficult to repair and as it is porous it will require sealing and treatment. Being heavy, you will need to reinforce cabinets.
Paper-resin Composite – Made from multiple layers of craft paper and resin bonded under low pressure into slabs. Some products use 50-100% recycled paper and all can be fashioned with woodworking tools. Thinner sheets will save money and resources. Small nicks and cuts with this type of composite can be sanded out. The material itself is also naturally hygienic however, hot cookware can scorch the surface. Further the surface may stain or mottle but you may like the effect it creates. Thinner sheets will save money and resources. To reduce staining we recommend regular treatment. As this type of material is relatively new to the market, make sure you choose an experience installer to avoid problems.
Solid Surface – A mix of fillers and resins. Can be easy to clean and small nicks and scratched can be sanded out. However, surfaces are prone to stains, cuts and scratches and hot cookware can scorch the surface. Further the filler is often a form of bauxite – the ore that produces aluminum – extraction and processing of which is associated with caustic soda contamination of water supplies, buaxite and alumina dust, and eco-system dislocation. Resins are either polyester or acrylic, both from oil and natural gas products. In other words, the mining, extraction and manufacturing are environmentally damaging not to mention the natural gas contributing to the pollution and depletion of scarce resources.
Stainless Steel – A combination of steel, chromium and nickel. It is durable, hygienic, reusable/recyclable, and can tolerate hot cookware. However it is prone to scratching and will show fingerprints. Moreover, its production requires large amounts of energy. Chromium is also a toxic heavy metal but when bound in stainless steel during manufacturing the finished product is non-toxic. BUT its production causes pollution. It is usually anchored to a plywood base for stability and we recommend you use FSC-certified plywood.
Tile – It is DIY friendly and will tolerate hot cookware. Further you can replace individual tiles in case of cracks or damage. However some of the disadvantages are that the grout can stain and may harbour bacteria while the surface it self may become uneven. Tile manufacturing requires large amounts of energy but its durability gives it an environmental edge. Source tiles from recycled glass (we recommend products from local companies like Interstyle), recycled porcelain (Ecotiles from Ames Tile), salvage ceramic scrap, or feldspar tailings – waste from feldspar processing. It will require sealing so make sure you choose sealers free of formaldehyde and low in VOCs.
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