Recycled Glass Countertops: A Comprehensive Guide

What Are Recycled Glass Countertops?

Recycled glass countertops are hard, smooth countertops for kitchens, dining rooms, and even bathrooms made from recycled glass. The pieces of glass used in this innovative countertop alternative can be either post-consumer or pre-consumer waste. The glass is encased within a cement or petroleum-based binder to offer structural integrity. In most cases, the finished product consists of anywhere between 70 to 85 percent of recycled content.

Are Recycled Glass Countertops Environmentally Friendly?

Incorporating recycled content into our homes is undoubtedly an environmentally friendly practice. Unfortunately, the United States generated 569 million tons of construction and demolition debris in 2017. Ninety percent of that waste comes from the demolition of older buildings. Glass debris accounts for 11.4 million metric tons of waste each year. From old windows to glass bottles, glass waste often ends up in the trash and eventually in our landfills.

How Much Are Recycled Glass Countertops?

Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $45 to $190 per square foot for recycled glass countertops. More expensive recycled glass countertops usually include added benefits, such as additional heat resistance, higher durability to prevent cracking, stain resistance, and treatments that do not require the countertops to be resealed.

What Are The Advantages Of Recycled Glass Countertops?

Recycled glass countertops are a way to avoid discarded glass waste from ending up in landfills, where it will take one million years to decompose. The average size of a kitchen countertop is 30 square feet. With about 138 million housing units in the United States, we could recycle all of our discarded glass into over 4 billion square feet of beautiful kitchen countertops.

Recycled glass countertops are incredibly durable and offer stain resistance, higher heat resistance, and UV stability. Because a diverse blend of glass is used in each countertop, homeowners can rest assured that their countertop will be 100 percent unique. In addition, recycled glass countertops made with acrylic, petroleum-based binders will require no sealant. They can even be back-lit with LED light strips for a beautiful, modernist touch to your kitchen.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Recycled Glass Countertops?

As with any household product, there are also a few drawbacks to recycled glass countertops. This price range is significantly more expensive than synthetic, run-of-the-mill countertops. However, they can be less costly than granite, marble, or quartz countertops.

Another consideration with recycled glass countertops is that they can crack when excessive weight is placed near the corners. This threat is less of a concern with countertops made with cement binders. However, when not sealed correctly, the cement binders can quickly stain when exposed to highly acidic foods such as tomato sauce.

From the sustainability lens, the recycled glass content used in these countertop options can certainly help reduce your home's embodied energy footprint. Unfortunately, some foreign companies are beginning to export these types of countertops to the USA. Recycled glass countertops are extremely heavy, weighing at least 14.5 pounds per square foot. The embodied energy footprint that comes with shipping these products across the ocean reduces any environmental benefits of incorporating recycled glass content. The LEED certification program gives additional credit to the regional manufacturing of recycled glass countertops.

Is Recycled Glass Countertop Pigment Safe? 

One of the unique aspects of recycled glass countertops is that they can come in various colors and designs. Cement-bonded glass countertops often resemble granite or quartz countertops. In addition, petroleum-based resin binders can include several pigments that can add a splash of color to your kitchen's interior design. Unfortunately, not all dyes are safe. For example, toxic pigments used on a surface to cut up your vegetables are not a good idea.

Are Recycled Glass Countertops Durable?

When taken care of properly, recycled glass countertops can be extremely durable. The non-porous surface of these types of countertops offers superior stain resistance. Also, glass countertops are not susceptible to scorching, burning, or melting because of the manufacturing process. That means you can place hot pots and pans onto the surface without searching for your hot pad.

Are Recycled Glass Countertops Heat Resistant?

Yes, recycled glass countertops are heat resistant. The heat resistance of recycled glass countertops is mainly impacted by the type of glass and binders (cement or resin) used. While recycled glass countertops resist high temperatures for a brief period, rapid change of hot and cold temperatures can be damaging. Therefore, the use of a hot pad is recommended.

Do Recycled Glass Countertops Require Maintenance?

Recycled glass countertops that are made from cement binders will require periodic sealing. Cement binders do offer superior strength and durability. However, cement is a porous material and is vulnerable to stains if a sealant is not applied. Recycled glass countertops that are made with acrylic binders, on the other hand, will require no waxing or sealing. Simply cleaning up the countertop with a non-toxic kitchen cleaner after cooking is the only needed maintenance.