Glass bottles, ready to get processed and re-used.

When it comes time to throw out the trash, hopefully you’ve had the wherewithal to separate garbage from recycling-friendly products. Don’t fret, if you’ve made a mistake in the separating/washing process the workers at your local recycling processing center will give the items they’ve collected a final separation and cleaning. It’s at this point in the process when the recycled pieces of glass, whether they be jars, glasses, or other not chemically treated glass products are resurrected out of the ranks of garbage and become immaculate pieces of glass again, ready to be used in recycled glass countertops, new bottles, and to build roads.

A beautiful Granite Transformations Trend Glass countertop

For good measure, an industrial magnet is scanned over the glass to catch any pieces of metal that weren’t sifted out by the workers – human error, you know? Once the glass is sufficiently washed and sifted, the glass is sent to a machine where it is crushed into a fine, glassy gravel called “cullet”. Cullet is then gathered, packaged, and sold by weight. Much of it is purchased by concrete companies looking to mix glass in with their mixture, strengthening the final product. Cullet is also sold to municipalities looking to strengthen their road resurfacing materials. Glass can be, when used right, a wonder material.

Mountain of cullet, ready to be weighed and sold.

Ah, where we come in. Landscaping and remodeling companies purchase cullet to mix in with many of their products used both within and outside the home. In our case we use the cullet to strengthen and add shine to our Trend Glass brand of glass countertops . It adds a unique shimmer, resists heat and cold, and won’t scratch of dent. Glass allows us to cut down on waste when we fabricate our countertops and the benefit couldn’t be more swayed in our favor. We produce a better product and produce less pollution. A win-win if you ask us.

That being said, back in 2008 the New York Times threw just about everyone who owned, was about to own, or was thinking of installing granite in their homes into a widespread tizzy. On July 24, 2008 the New York Times ran an article by columnist Kate Murphy titled “What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?”. In it, an anecdotal tale of a routine radiation inspection in a home in Teaneck, New Jersey laid the framework for ongoing finger pointing directed firmly at countertops. In that Teaneck home, it was found that radiation levels were so high, ten times higher in the granite-infused kitchen than anywhere else in the home, that it was tantamount to smoking cigarettes, in terms of detriment to health.

A day later, CBS news picked the story up, adding fuel to the panicked fire. Drawing from the New York Times article they reported, accurately, that a radon-level of 4 picoCuries (the measure for radon existence) was as harmful to health as smoking a half a pack of cigarettes a day, and a level that the EPA suggests demand immediate attention. That fact alone is quite alarming when first read – an inanimate object can cause the same damage that a voluntary vice like cigarettes can. It looked like a grim day for the granite industry.

Controversy was drummed up further when CBS quoted an expert saying that “We’re seeing higher results in reds, pinks, purples. However, you’ve got to test them all.” The information provided to a generally health-concerned public was almost unanimously grim, somehow pushing aside decades upon decades of safe granite use. The elevated noise and chatter caused by this was no picnic for the granite and marble industry.

Despite high-end marble and granite distributors instantly, and loudly, downplaying the negative health implications of countertop radiation the story spread like wildfire. What remained true throughout this whole process is the fact that granite produces, by nature, a slight amount of radiation – but not enough to be harmful. Granite has been used safely for years without astronomical levels of radiation being measured.

The problem that seemed to be mounting was that companies were sourcing their rock from dozens of wholly unique locations across the globe, some of which tested higher than others for radon levels. The proliferation in rock sourcing muddled the whole field, leading people to lump “hot” rock in with quality granite that has been used for centuries.

Luckily for us, our Trend Stone and Trend Glass lines of countertop overlays are completely radon-free – not even a smidgen of harm can be done. This fast flies in the face of sensational, countertop poisoning reports of two years ago, and you can rest easy knowing that being close to your Granite Transformations-installed countertops is no more cancer causing than breathing fresh, unpolluted air.

We engineer our stone with radon levels in mind, making sure that the chemical composition of our overlays is at an even, neutral level – one that is safe to use 24/7/365.

In 1991 the city of Boulder, Colorado decided to look toward the future and implement an ordinance that would prove to be the gold (green?) standard for municipal building codes. Due to the rising cost of conventional sources of energy in the late 1980’s the “Solar Access Ordinance” was enacted to make sure that everyone in Boulder considering erecting a new building or structure had to keep sunlight in mind. The ordinance mandates that each new building leave room for a 12’ or 25’ “hypothetical solar fence” allowing for enough sunlight to produce energy. Construction planning has taken shadow cover and movement and the angles of shadows over the heavily graded terrain of Boulder into the development process. If the shadows don’t comply then a new blueprint must be written. For 19 years now sunshine and solar has found its place in the small Colorado city outside of Denver. The rest of the country might want to take a page out of Boulder’s book.

Workers install a solar fixture on a Boulder home.

Portland, OR: Vegetated Fin Initiative

Urban landscaping is a great step towards going green; lining the streets with trees and bushes that oxygenate and beautify the concrete jungles they live in. And, of course, city-dwellers put plants inside their homes and office buildings to capture a bit of countryside green. But what if someone put plant-life on buildings? The General Services Administration is laying down a $133 million dollar initiative to place soaring, 200-foot high plant-covered panels (vegetated fins) on the GSA building in downtown Portland. It would be one of the greenest high rises in the entire country. The design would save the building roughly $280,000 annually in energy costs, and would use 65% less energy overall. This would be a landmark development in the field of green architecture. Portland, lead the way!

A rendering of Portland's vegetated GSA building.

Ithaca, NY: The Roy H. Park School of Business and Sustainable Enterprise

College campuses are often on the front-lines of sustainability innovation. Smack dab in the center of the Ithaca College campus in Ithaca, NY sits the Roy H. Park Center for Business and Sustainable Enterprise. The Park Center was one of the first buildings in the United States to receive a “platinum” rating on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system – a rating held by fewer than 100 buildings worldwide. Built from local materials and packed with enough solar energy capacity to power the entire technically rigged facility, interior designers and architects adhered to the strictest green guidelines. On the roof a series of drought-resistant plants rest, waiting to collect rainwater (and due to its close proximity to Lake Cayuga the hilltop campus receives a generous amount of rainfall) that is then converted into the entire water supply for the building. The Roy H. Park School of Business and Sustainable Enterprise is an engineering marvel discretely tucked away in the rolling hills of Northern New York.

The elevated path leading to the Roy H. Park School of Business and Sustainable enterprise in Ithaca, NY.

Chicago, IL: The Green Craze

When people think of Chicago, the second most populated metropolis in the United States, they might think that it’s full of congestion and pollution. Not so. In fact Chicago is one of the greener cities in our country. All of the nine museums and the famous Chicago Art Institute are run partially by solar power, a huge undertaking considering the immense size of many of those buildings. In addition, the city of Chicago powers roughly 20% of their city by using renewable resources. Taking it back down to a personal level (because people must drive cars, right?) 1/3 of the entire Chicago commuting population takes public transit to and from their day jobs. City Hall even has a green roof capable of providing energy and water to the massive government building. To keep such a large and populated place so eco-friendly is truly commendable.

The green roof atop Chicago City Hall.

Madison, WI: A Biker’s Dream

Though Madison reports to only have a population of 208,054 citizens it’s estimated that there are 150,000 bikes in use in the Midwestern college town. Over 100 miles of bike trails and scenic inner-city bike-only lanes have been implemented to make getting around town on two wheels a breeze. In 2004 the city of Madison released the comprehensive “Wisconsin Biking Facility Design Guide,” which explains, in detail, the ins and outs of one our country’s largest urban bike-path systems. In addition to the expansive bike lane system, roughly 20% of Madison is devoted to parks, so no matter where you’re going (probably by bike) a park in which to relax and admire the green scenery is never too far.

One of the many (crowded) bike lanes in Madison, WI.

Photo by aunto CC BY 2.0

Are you in the midst of a kitchen remodeling? Are you possibly rethinking your current kitchen design? There are likely many considerations you are keeping in mind – price, style, and quality to name a few. But there’s one more thing we want to remind you of before sending you out into the land of Kitchen Remodeling Design – Don’t forget to go green!

Below we have compiled a great list of tips to help you go green in your kitchen. Some of them will require a little bit of upfront investment, but you will surely see a return as the years go by.

Look for the EnergyStar Logo

If you are remodeling you kitchen, appliances will probably factor largely into your design plan. Be sure to always look for EnergyStar appliances. These appliances have met strict efficiency guidelines provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and can help you save up to a third of the cost of your energy bill. Furthermore, try to look for appliances that will last a long time (we’re talking ten years or more) as this will help reduce waste.

Look for This Logo

Recycle

Whenever possible, try to recycle the appliances you are replacing. Give them away to your friends, family, or neighbors, donate them to your local salvation army, or list them on craigslist (for free or try to make a little money back). If you’re up for it, you could even try looking for recycled materials for your own kitchen!
Be sure to use energy efficient bulbs in any new fixtures you install. As old bulbs burn out replace them with energy efficient ones. These bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer than regular bulbs.

Get a Dishwasher

Invest in a dishwasher if you don’t already have one. Obviously, this might be impossible for renters, but for those who own their own home, running a full dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand in a sink with running water.

Pick Sustainable Materials

Use recycled materials as much as possible. Bamboo is beautiful choice for floors and cabinetry, and it’s highly sustainable so you can rest easy knowing you are doing what’s best for the environment.  If you’re in the market for new countertops, our Trend Glass countertop overlays are made from recycled glass and semi-precious, man-made stones. They will add luster and beauty to your kitchen while also helping you stay green.

How to go green even if you aren’t remodeling your kitchen.

And now for the really fun stuff – We can all keep the following tips in mind to reduce our impact on the environment.

Try A Natural Approach

A great natural alternative to common household cleaning products is a vinegar-water solution, which will clean virtually any surface in your home. Vinegar is great at removing stains, from tile grout to coffee mugs. Vinegar can be found in any grocery store and it will only set you back a few dollars. Try adding a squeeze of lemon to the solution to give your home a fresh citrus scent.

Choose Local

Lastly, eat local! Obviously, this one can sometimes be difficult. You will need to spend a little more time searching for products that have been grown locally in your area.  However, farmers markets are popping up everywhere these days and large retailers like Whole Foods often showcase locally grown products, making them easy to identify.

Photo by yourdon

Glass Kitchen Counter

Everyone loves a beautiful kitchen counter, but making the right choice for the perfect counter can be tough. Some of the difficulty lies in determining which color will best complement the décor of the room. For darker rooms, many people like to go with granite or trend stone to give the kitchen a beautiful luster which compliments the dark shades of cabinets, walls, and appliances.

What about lighter kitchens? Sure, a granite countertop or trend stone counter can be good option, but you might also consider a glass kitchen counter. Glass kitchen counters are strong, sleek and have a lovely polish. They will give your lighter kitchen a new radiance and are sure to “wow” your guests every time. Of course, glass counters are easy to install and maintain, so you are certain to enjoy them for years to come.

Click to learn more about the glass we use to make our glass kitchen counters . And don’t forget to  visit our website for a free consultation. We hope that everyone had a wonderful 2009 and we wish you all a happy new year.

You might start by checking for any certifications relating to environment and health. If a company itself, or its product or service, is certified by a recognized organization, this will likely be highlighted on the company’s website or in other communication forums. So, before purchasing a home improvement product, be sure to do some research to see if the product’s manufacturer, or the product itself, has received any certifications acknowledging its safety and greenness.

At Granite Transformations, we are proud to tell our customers that our company and products have been certified by several renowned organizations, for our commitment to the manufacture of products that are safe and environmentally friendly. Highlighted below are some of the certifications and recognitions we have received, acknowleding that our products are safe to human health as well as the environment.

	NSF Certification — The certification is granted by NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) to consumer, commercial and industrial products that relate to health and safety. NSF Mark conveys that a product has been regularly tested and complies with the relevant health standards set forth by NSF.
	GREENGUARD Certification — The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) grants GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification to low emitting interior building materials, furnishings, and finish systems. Certified products have been tested for their chemical emissions performance to comply with indoor air standards.
	USGBC Membership — A membership at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is granted to those organizations that share USGBC’s goal of a more sustainable built environment. The membership signifies an organization’s commitment to helping deliver USGBC’s vision of green buildings and communities for everyone within a generation.
	Radon Safe Mark – This mark does not indicate any certification or membership. Nevertheless, it shows that our products have been tested by an accredited radon testing laboratory, and the results have proved our products to be all radon safe.

Here are 6 reasons why Granite Transformations is green:

1. 33 to 70 percent recycled content

Trend Glass countertops are manufactured using 33 to 70 percent recycled content, making it one of the industry leaders for its amount of recycled materials. In addition, Granite Transformations’ entire manufacturing process is designed to recycle materials whenever possible.

2. No demolition, less construction = Less waste

Granite Transformations countertops are engineered to fit right over existing countertops. That means there is no need to remove the old counters, greatly reducing the amount of landfill waste created by a traditional kitchen remodel. Additionally, there is no need for any further construction to support the new countertop. This means a further savings in the amount of raw materials and the energy needed to manufacture them.

3. Fewer materials, less energy

Because of the unique engineering process used to make Granite Transformations slabs, they are one third as thick (as compared to a ¾ inch slab) requiring at least 65 percent less material to produce. Less material means less energy consumption in manufacturing and less use of the resources required for the final product. All this is accomplished while providing superior heat, stain and scratch resistance, when compared to natural stone.

4. No chemical sealers

Traditional granite counters require periodic sealing with harsh chemicals that release vapors into the home and the environment. Granite Transformations countertops require zero maintenance other than cleaning with water and a mild detergent and there is no need to ever use a chemical sealer, as required by other surfaces.

5. Made in the USA

Unlike many other engineered surfaces, all of Granite Transformations’ slabs are made right here in the United States. That greatly reduces the quantity of resources that other manufacturers must use in the international shipping of their products.

6. We upcycle

It’s not just any post-consumer materials we use in our engineered countertops: one of our affiliates got some press coverage recently for our Trend Mosaic tiles, which “incorporated that signature blue glass from recycled Skyy Vodka bottles.”

But don’t take our word for it: check out our many industry certifications at the bottom of the page!

1. Work for your food

Bike-powered blenders, so you can get a workout and smoothie right after!

2. Swim in a dumpster

Brooklyn upcyclers turned two old dumpsters into portable pools.

3. Make a magical glass garden

In Philly, the city of murals, an eccentric artist made a garden of a glass and waste.

4. Turn your army helmet into a sculpture

Artists are turning unique artifacts into beautiful sculptures and art pieces. Find one that fits your personality or make it yourself!

5. Use a plastic bag as a bike seat cover when it rains

Why should you be forced to take the bus or drive when a rain coat and a plastic bag that you got from the grocery store are all you need?

6. Use old liquor bottles for percussion

I’ve seen buckets and single bottles being used as supplementary percussion instruments, but never a liquor bottle orchestra!!!

7. Turn an old fork into a ring

Why should a new set of silverware cause you to put them in attic or throw them away. Make your wife or girlfriend a beautiful (and cheap) ring.

8. Turn truck springs into a chair

I would buy that!

9. Take your old belts and make a floor mat

I once even used a belt for my car when it broke down in Virginia. A mat would have been a better idea!

10. Make the best of the junk yard!

Take the hood of your old car and turn it into a table instead of sending it to the pound.

11. Take the pieces of a broken desk and make a super desk

Why should an leg, base, or drawer go to waste?

Be creative and make the best of what you’re going to throw away in order to minimize the use of virgin material. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, look at what other people are making for inspiration. Remember: the only way you will 100% know for sure your disposable gets recycled is if you upcycle it for you and your loved ones.