PHOTOS: Stunning Recycled Glass Countertops

by Published on 01/30/2012 48 Comments

Americans generated 11.5 million tons of glass in 2010 – about 27 percent of which was recycled, according to the EPA. Nearly 90 percent of recycled glass is used to make new containers. But creative greenies are finding some slightly more unconventional uses for the material – filtering water, crafting jewelry and even decorating casinos.


READ: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Glass

Mary Mazzoni

Mary Mazzoni

Staff Writer


  1. Betsy Friday Prouty

    posted on January 30th, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    I know a few friends of mine could do this? If this is real, I think it is great! Easy to clean? Is it sealed?

  2. Car Sue

    posted on January 31st, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    We have countertops like these at the recycling center where I work. I'm not sure if they're sealed, or the epoxy mix seals them or what, but I can tell you that they are very easy to clean! A few squirts of Green Works multi-surface spray and a wipe with a microfibre cloth, and it's good as new.

  3. Tim Whaley

    posted on January 31st, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    GlassSLAB Countertops are easy to clean, stain resistant and does not require a chemical seal! Check us out on our website; www.glassrecycled.com.

  4. Russ White

    posted on January 31st, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    For more on Tim and his great work, please check out this video: http://youtu.be/3PcVQ7EEPRs

  5. Stacie Haldeman

    posted on February 2nd, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    Awesome!

  6. Julie Howe Kulman

    posted on February 2nd, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    We are getting new countertops and I wanted these but then I looked at the price of it and it's way more expensive then granite!! :( I love them but the price is crazy!!

  7. Stacie Haldeman

    posted on February 2nd, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    @[676342359:2048:Julie Howe Kulman] , That stinks! I just put them on the list for our "forever home" .... Maybe by then they'll come down in price... You know, people would be more apt to get behind earth saving products like these if the price weren't so ridiculous. It makes me sad.

  8. Jennifer Egnor

    posted on February 3rd, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    I agree. We're seeing more and more sustainable and organic options these days, but they are not easily available for the general public. Having Solar Panels, is like having a "pipe dream"--it's never going to happen because we simply can't afford it. Some cities are paying for their people to have them, but the rest of the world could use a little help, too. Things are so over prices. How are we supposed to make a difference if we can't afford it?

  9. Delicia Ambrosino

    posted on February 10th, 2012 at 12:19 am

    Stacie Haldeman I agree about the prices. Anything organic, recycled, environmentally friendly, and even raising animals in a healthy manner {see FoodInc- www.takepart.com/foodinc} has one heck of a price tag on it. Sometimes I can understand a bit of an increase but when I see that it's cost prohibitive I have to question the ethics behind the item.

  10. Lynn Hirshman

    posted on March 3rd, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    Jennifer Egnor --I don't know where you live, but most cities have companies that lease you solar panels, and you wind up paying much less than for power from the grid. Check out Solar City, for example.

  11. Christine Lines

    posted on February 3rd, 2012 at 12:10 am

    Christine Lines - New Home Interiors, Inc. (Temecula, Ca) I have had the opportunity to work with Tim Whaley, and his work is beautiful! Recyled Glass is very innovative and just think what it's doing for the landfills.

  12. Sylvia Sue Darling

    posted on February 3rd, 2012 at 3:38 am

    I have been looking to a clear epoxy to use in like designs and to use over old wood, but I can not find a source, that would give me a food safe counter.

  13. Lucas Graham

    posted on February 3rd, 2012 at 5:04 am

    Hi there recycle friends, me from south africa. Needs help to buy a 4ton truck with hi up to pick up glass containers.The glass recycling company of south africa sponsered me with ten containers. but need a vehicle urgently to service these containers. Do you maybe know of somebody that will be willing to assist our small business. Proud to be part of going green but funding big hurdle! LOVE THOSE GLASS TOPS. The way to go. If you can assist please contact me on my email address: recycle2call@gmail.com.

  14. Linda Leighton

    posted on February 3rd, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Absolutely LOVE these! Our new Solid Waste Facility (NC Green Building Council LEED Platinum Certiied) has these and they look great! It also has recycled glass in the floors, walls and outside brick.)

  15. Richard A Angulo

    posted on February 13th, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Nice pics, thank for sharing - check out our full line of 'Vetrazzo' http://bit.ly/A3rrDD Marble of the World.

  16. Anna Quist

    posted on February 16th, 2012 at 4:07 am

    These countertops are beautiful!

  17. Maria Viers

    posted on February 16th, 2012 at 11:46 pm

    I would love these, any links to the designer?

  18. Digna Dreibelbis

    posted on February 19th, 2012 at 4:33 am

    Beautiful! Does anyone know if the cost is more than traditional marble counter tops?

  19. Maureen McCabe

    posted on February 19th, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Great photos. I saw some glass counters online but there was not a close up and I could not tell from what it said what there was other than glass.

  20. Stacy Peterman

    posted on February 20th, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    stunning

  21. Cindy Wooden

    posted on February 20th, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    I have read about this recyled glass to being used for countertops. This is really inovative concept. Plus no two countertops well be the same. An original of its own.

  22. Jodi Rhinehart

    posted on February 21st, 2012 at 6:34 am

    I think these countertops are gorgeous!

  23. William P Martin

    posted on February 23rd, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    they will save the world yet way to go.

  24. Tristan Titeux

    posted on February 23rd, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    Do you think recycled glass is better than real stone?

  25. Maciek Woś

    posted on February 23rd, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    we had something similar in poland calledled ' lastryko' http://www.google.pl/search?q=lastryko&hl=pl&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=nLJGT-v7JZKq8QPO1Ii8Dg&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=862

  26. Maciek Woś

    posted on February 23rd, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    mostly looked awful because it was made by comunists lazy and drunk polish workers ...:)

  27. Tristan Titeux

    posted on February 23rd, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    @[100001511511077:2048:Maciek Woś] Really? It looks nice in the pictures! Have you conquered poland yet with straw?

  28. Maciek Woś

    posted on February 23rd, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    now its time for SNOW not for STRAW :)

  29. Tristan Titeux

    posted on February 24th, 2012 at 6:52 am

    Ha! Maybe http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/glitters/i/igloo-10249.jpg

  30. Heather 'Ida' Andrick

    posted on February 25th, 2012 at 1:06 am

    Awesome!

  31. Regina Wagoner Smith

    posted on February 27th, 2012 at 2:18 am

    Love it!

  32. Regina Wagoner Smith

    posted on February 28th, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    DIY sounds good to me. I'm all about saving money!

  33. Helen N Kay

    posted on February 27th, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    I don't like it.

  34. Mary Kay Provenzano-Philp

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    The countertops are beautiful. I hope more builders use recycled products when building new homes or remodeling.

  35. Yvonne Kalucis

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    We ot them in our kitchen and they are gorgeous - and was less expensive than granite!

  36. Julie Jones Hunt

    posted on March 3rd, 2012 at 2:12 am

    I want to see them! The next kitchen counter I buy will be that or ceaserstone. Although granite is beautiful, I for personal reasons, would not choose to put them in my home. Anyway I am sure they are beautiful!

  37. Kristen Johnson Hodgen

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    Love it. Wish we were building!

  38. Curt Kramer

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    ever priced on of those out... Its not cheap. Granite actually costs less. Just saying, they look amazing but they are high dollar

  39. Kristen Johnson Hodgen

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Curt..that I have no doubt, green stuff usually is it seems.

  40. Jennifer M Rethmel

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    love it, I want that in my house!

  41. Katie Powlish

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    wish I did this now :( but I did do my back splash with recycled glass.

  42. Heather Montero

    posted on March 2nd, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Post picture of the kitchen katie because the video didn't work for me

  43. Michael Scanlon

    posted on March 3rd, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    Those look really nice and the idea is great. We're going to be getting new counter tops soon, so these will definitely be on our list of choices.

  44. Judy Chandler

    posted on March 3rd, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    Yummy!

  45. Kay McManus

    posted on March 12th, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    beautiful

  46. Charlene Nicholson

    posted on April 1st, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    Been looking but can't find a dealer to get a price. I really like it.

  47. Gloria Petersen

    posted on April 14th, 2012 at 1:09 am

    LOOK NICE, BUT HOW DO THEY COMPARE IN PRICE?

  48. Rita Kirk McKenna

    posted on May 8th, 2012 at 3:38 am

    just did a remodel of our master bathroom....put in a recycled glass countertop.....I just love it....it is so fresh looking.....and very clossy.....I highly recommend it.

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