Icestone [is] a durable surface made 100% from recycled glass and concrete. I first heard of this product about 2 years ago and initially thought it would make very cool looking countertops. A few weeks ago, I attended a product knowledge seminar on Icestone and now, the “green” side of it is growing on me. So I thought I would take time today to share a little more about Icestone and point some of the key factors that define it as a green product and company.

Icestone (http://www.icestone.biz) is a man-made product that is suitable for both, residential and commercial applications. Most people will use it for countertops and backsplashes but it can also be installed as flooring. Think about 1950′s terrazzo floors in the government buildings. Icestone offers a similar look but with more vibrant colors and a variety of shades.

How are the product and the company green?
-Made in USA – the factory is in Brooklyn, NY.
-Reuses glass bottles – beer, wine, sparkling water bottles … out of the landfill and into the countertop. The color of the recycled glass gives the shade to the slab.
-VOC free – no petroleum content and water based sealers. So helping in the wellness your family.
-Day-lit factory – saving energy where it matters the most.
-Grey water recycling – conserving and reusing resources to make a true impact on the environment.

What certifications does Icestone hold?
B corporation – “a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corporations are unlike traditional responsible businesses because they: meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards.”

Cradle-to-Cradle Gold – recently awarded Gold, this certification “provides a company with a means to tangibly, credibly measure achievement in environmentally-intelligent design and helps customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality.”

NSF certified – certifies that Icestone is suitable in a food service area like a kitchen.

These are just a few points that make Icestone highly desirable and worth considering when selecting your countertops or looking for something different for flooring. New shades are coming out. Who knows, it may be the one you’ve always wanted.

So keep on recycling those glass bottles. They may one day reappear… in your kitchen countertop!

Written by Valery Tessier-Leon for Case Design/Remodel. 

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