Recycled glass countertops use somewhere around 85% post consumer glass and were invented by materials scientist Don McPherson in 1995 when he combined recycled glass and a cement binder. These stunning design pieces are the latest in cutting edge style with an eco-friendly twist. Crafted using commercial and domestic waste glass, the counter tops come in a variety of colors and styles. In addition to counter tops a host of other kitchen and home products are also available including tiles, splash backs and glass panels.
Eco-friendly Glass Countertops
Glass is accountable for about 7% of household refuse resulting in millions of tonnes being added to landfill every year. Choosing recycled glass counter tops for your home is a smart choice with the added benefit of helping Mother Nature. By opting for recycled glass you are helping save energy and reduce landfill and emissions, plus recycling reduces the need for sourcing new raw materials – for every tonne of recycled glass used, 1.2 tonnes of raw materials are preserved.
Here’s a video about Vetrazzo, one of the major producers of recycled glass countertops.
When comparing recycled glass counter tops to other materials, the benefits to the environment are outstanding. Recycled glass can be recycled forever without any loss of quality plus there is no need to consume any new raw materials therefore no additional damage to the planet. Glass materials that would otherwise add to the ever increasing landfill sites is re-routed to recycling plants with no Co2 or other harmful glasses emitted during the recycling and manufacturing process. The end result reduces the amount of energy by a huge 1/3 per tonne of glass.
Custom-made Cool
Recycled glass products are custom made according to your needs, with designs and colours to suit all tastes. Glass wall tiles and glass light diffusers add a stunning personalized touch to any home, with a wide range of shades available including classic white, amber tones, delicate minty greens, blue sky shades and leafy greens in a varying kaleidoscope of textures and richness.
When creating recycled glass counter tops and other products it is imperative that designers work in tangent with interior designers to ensure the glass is tailored to their design requirements. Today’s savvy consumers are already opting for energy efficient light bulbs therefore it makes sense for consumers to also opt for eco-friendly recycled glass light diffusers. As with recycled glass counter tops and other items, the glass used is utterly unique and unlike any other merchandise on the market today resulting in a custom-made, cool look.
Long Lasting Benefits
Reusing glass is not only green and chic, recycled glass is also remarkably strong and durable. Other added benefits in selecting products such as recycled glass counter tops is that they are non-porous and are very easy to keep clean and maintain. When using tiles you will notice that no two are identical, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal resulting in a long lasting dream product for those seeking the ultimate designer air in their homes.
This new glass then undergoes finishing steps including cutting, edge polishing, fusing and kiln forming. More processing follows such as sand blasting and laminating before the final decoration touches are applied. The reused, recycled glass is then ready to be shaped into a number of different products.