The “greenness” of stone countertops is a conundrum I’ve been wrestling with over the years. You can earn LEED points for using stone countertops because of its benefits to indoor air quality. But generally speaking, in the true sense of the word, stone countertops are not green. Stone is a product that requires a lot of energy and water to produce. Producers tout their “natural qualities.” Stone may be natural, but that doesn’t mean all natural things are safe or responsible to use. If that were the case, you could argue that oil is also a natural product.
But let’s face it: many of us love stone countertops. They’re easy on the eyes, they’re stylish, they’re pretty easy to clean, they’re pretty durable, and they can, to some extent, be revived or refreshed when they look too rough. So whether we like it or not, stone countertops are going to be around for a while.
That said, if I could choose a more “green” stone, assuming there is such a thing, I would look for stone manufacturers who are mindful of how they produce their countertops, and look for stone that will stand the test of time. Some stones are more durable than others and will last hundreds of years if properly cared for. Others, like the prima donut marble countertops in my kitchen, will wear out in a few years unless given extra care, very good.
If I had to choose a stone countertop, I would choose a quartz-based product. Quartz is the fourth hardest natural substance and is one of the most common substances on earth. Quartz countertops have many advantages over granite, marble, soapstone, and limestone countertops. Quartz countertops are:
- low maintenance and never needs to be sealed,
- non-porous so they are resistant to stains and bacteria,
- Available in a wide variety of colors and edge finishes,
- usually come with a 10-year warranty (check with your manufacturer for a specific warranty)
- Greenguard Approved, which is awarded to products with a high indoor air quality value. These products do not release harmful chemical gases.
Quartz manufacturers:
Two quartz manufacturers stand out when it comes to their environmental commitments.
CaesarStone not only does it offer a product line that includes post-consumer recycled material, but its manufacturing and transportation practices are fundamental to its environmental commitment.
Cambria: According to their website, their quartz is primarily mined and manufactured in the US The company recycles 100% of the water used in the manufacturing process and even recycles stormwater captured on the property. Best environmental practices are used in the manufacturing and packaging of Cambria products and even within its headquarters.