Rock, Paper . . . Countertops

Published by Marina Hoag under Green Building, Kitchen

What was your reaction when you first heard there are countertops made from recycled paper? If you’re like me, you were thinking, “Yeah, yeah, recycled paper countertops, they may be fine for extreme greenies. But me? Give me the hard stuff, the shiny stuff, the stuff I can cut on and spill all over.”

Recycled paper countertops look nothing like stacks of corrugated cardboard (did I read your mind?) and more like plastic slab countertops, such as Corian. They are just as functional and yes, just as hard, but manufactured without the high levels of energy required to make plastic products.

From the region that brought us grunge rock, two paper countertop companies — PaperStone and Richlite — are rethinking and revitalizing the wood-based industry in Hoquiam and Tacoma, Washington. Both PaperStone and Richline countertops use recycled paper, and each has a product line certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) that uses 100% recycled paper in a resin base. Installing paper countertops can contribute up to nine points on a LEED 2.2 project.

Unlike many traditional countertops, eco-conscious paper countertops go the extra step and use nonpetroleum, formaldehyde-free resins. PaperStone employs oil extracted from cashew nut shells, a renewable resource.

Available in many colors, paper countertops are not just sprayed with a topcoat. The paper is dyed with organic pigments during the manufacturing process, so that the surface has a warm appearance and looks more like stone than plastic. Stain and heat resistent up to 350 degrees, paper countertops are available in thicknesses from 3/4 inch to 2 inches.

And like all good paper products, these countertops can be recycled when they’re at their end. The price of paper countertops is roughly equivalent to granite countertops, though as a result of the ease of workmanship and finish, the installed price is often lower.

In a conversation with PaperStone president Roy Nott at least week’s West Coast Green expo, my Green By Design colleague Martha Danly learned that Do-It-Yourselfers will find PaperStone easy to work with. So if your contractor budget was lost in yesterday’s closing bell on Wall Street, you’re in luck.

One last thought—take a few minutes to browse the PaperStone and Richlite websites. You’ll be inspired by their products’ good looks and the ways to use these green architectural surfaces that go way beyond kitchen countertops.

11 Responses to “Rock, Paper . . . Countertops”

Charisse Kuikahi says:

October 6, 2008 at 6:31 pm

I am inquiring of these countertops made out of paper. Our company is presently designing a sustainable area and are putting together materials that teach us to live sustainable and I think this product would be a great item to show in this area of our company.

Thank you,

Charisse Kuikahi

Group 70 International
925 Bethel Street 5th fl.
Honolulu HI 96813

Ph#523-5866
Fax#523-5874

Reply
Martha says:

October 6, 2008 at 9:26 pm

Charisse,
I’m glad to hear that you’re considering recycled paper countertops for your business. Both PaperStone and Richlite have local dealers on the island of Hawai’i, and I recommend you go ahead and contact them for further information:

PAPERSTONE
North Star West LLC
Phone: 530-559-3939
Website: http://www.nssurfces.com
Email: russleverenz@nssurfaces.com

RICHLITE
Hawaii Kitchen and Bath
PO Box 1857
Kailua, HI 96734
Phone: 808-261-0357
Fax: 808-261-5532
Website: http://www.hawaiikitchenandbath.com

I’d be happy to make a site visit to Honolulu check out your selection! (But I’d have to row my kayak there to minimize my carbon footprint…)

Thanks for your comment,
Martha

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Amy Woidtke says:

October 7, 2008 at 1:30 pm

My client used Vetrazzo countertops. They are different than what you post above and equally as beautiful…recycled glass bits make a very colorful array. It’s shiney and even has some assemblance of granite look because of the multiple glass colors and the material it’s mixed with.

http://www.vetrazzo.com

I LOVE all the alternatives that we have nowadays for green design and decorating!

Thank you Martha!

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Martha says:

October 8, 2008 at 10:38 am

Hi Amy,

Thanks for your comment about Vetrazzo recycled glass countertops. We’re huge fans of their products, too…as well as glass countertops from IceStone and Enviroglas. Take a look at our previous blog on Green By Design that features all three companies:

http://greenbydesign.com/2008/09/10/recycled-glass-countertops/#more-185

Glad to know you’re working hard as a green interior designer. I checked out your website at ecokinddesign.com and love your point of view.

All the best,
Martha

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Joshua says:

October 8, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Another paper countertop that is just hitting the market is EcoTop… it is created by the same guy, Joel Klippert, who came up with PaperStone. It is basically an evolved paper surface, negating the issues Paperstone and Richlite have been running into. I have a design business and was fortunate enough to get the first two sheets of off the production line and have been blown away with the products aesthetic and its performance. Another benefit is EcoTop has an all new resin system that allows a much wider range of color options.

I recently wrote a blog post myself on the surface:

http://metrohippie.terapad.com/index.cfm?fa=contentNews.newsDetails&newsID=68864&from=list

Been diggin’ on your blog!

cheers,

-josh

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Seattle Architect says:

October 25, 2008 at 10:09 pm

I was at west coast green and was blown away by the new EcoTop product. It is so far advanced over the previous paper based products and has a color pallet that my customers want. Many of my customers have been unhappy with the color choices of the other paper products and the uv color shift most want something green without having to worry about it and EcoTop looks like that product. I’m glad to hear another designer has used it and like the way it has performed. We have spec’d EcoTop for two jobs in the Seattle area and I will keep everyone posted as to its performance.

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Nicholas says:

December 5, 2008 at 12:07 am

Seattle Architect – I live on the Eastside and am very seriously looking at EcoTop. I’ve read it’s easy to DIY instal, however I’m interested in having it done, or at least part of it. Cost is definitely a factor for us but there is a pretty funky angle and an undermount sink involved so I’d rather pay someone who knows what they’re doing rather than mess up a piece… That being said do you or anyone you know take on jobs this small? Any advice? Thanks a bunch!

Cheers,

Nick

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LeRoy Dean says:

March 29, 2009 at 7:58 pm

I would like to find paperstone in the Lincoln NE. area .

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Wade says:

April 6, 2009 at 2:18 pm

Hey, beautiful work. The FSC certification is a very respectable one, so I am glad to see it included in your work. I go all FSC myself these days. One good source of FSC lumber, for the East Coast especially, is Lewis Lumber, if anyone has needs for it right now.

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Buy Cars says:

April 24, 2009 at 9:28 am

thanks !! very helpful post!

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corian countertops says:

November 10, 2009 at 2:13 pm

I am a big fan of PaperStone. it is such a beautiful product. the Color Indigo is one of my favorites. Blue Blue Blue

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