Those wine cork stoppers and glass bottles that are thrown away may be returning to the very same kitchens that discarded them in the first place—albeit in a different form. These materials, along with dozens of other post-consumer and post-industrial products, are being recycled into durable and sustainable countertops, backsplashes and flooring surfaces. Using recycled materials that otherwise would end up in landfills can add to the beauty of kitchen and bath surfaces, thanks to a variety of striking colors.

[1] Cosentino's ECO by Cosentino
This line of countertop and surfacing material is composed of 75 percent post-industrial and post-consumer recycled raw material, including mirrors salvaged from houses, buildings and factories; glass from windows and bottles; and porcelain from toilets and sinks. The recycled content is then mixed with 25 percent natural material and is bonded with an eco-friendly 22 percent corn resin. It is available in two color collections—Revive and Green—which together offer 10 individual designer colors.

[2] Renewed Materials' Alkemi-acrylic recycled surfacing
Featuring an SCS-certified minimum recycled content of 91 percent, Alkemi-acrylic is composed of post-industrial and post-consumer acrylic waste, solid surface waste and aluminum scrap waste. Highly durable, this surface material is available in 20 colors, comes in two sizes—48 in. x 96 in. and 36 in. x 72 in.—and has a thickness of 5/8 in. This solid surface can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

[3] Hakatai's Ashland-e Series
Comprised of between 30 and 70 percent recycled glass from bottles and/or other waste glass, this rustic tile series comes in a variety of blends and gradients featuring transparent and opaque colors, iridescent hues and matte finishes. Five new warm and cool earth tones—silver, crystal, aloe, Darjeeling and Toscana iridescent—and a Sun Tea blend have been added to the line, which includes 1-in. x 1-in. and 1-in. x 2-in. subway-style mosaics.














































[4] CoveringsETC's Bio-Luminum
These aluminum tiles come from reclaimed aircraft cladding. CoveringsETC works with clean-up organizations to gather raw materials from airplane graveyards and abandoned military maneuver sites. The reclaimed aluminum is melted into a block, which is then sliced into distinct tiles. The strength of the aluminum, which is also recyclable, makes this tile durable enough for high-traffic flooring.

[5] Forbo's Marmoleum Click
Containing 45 percent post-industrial recycled content, the Click collection allows glueless installation, which eliminates the use of chemicals or coatings with fumes and gases. This flooring product's inherent anti-static properties repel dust and dirt, making it easier to clean and maintain while reducing exposure to allergens and contributing to better indoor air quality. Available in 24 colors ranging from neutrals to bolds, each panel measures 12 in. wide x 36 in. long.

[6] A.E.R.T.'s Moisture Shield Vantage Collection
From Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, this wood-plastic composite decking line contains a minimum of 30 percent post-consumer recycled content and 60 percent pre-consumer recycled content. The deck planks measure 5/4 in. x 6 in. and are embossed with a realistic wood grain finish on both sides, making them fully reversible. Colors include seasoned mahogany, rustic cedar, Cape Cod gray, earthtone, terracotta and desert sand.















































[7] Fuez's recycled glass solid countertops
Combining low carbon cement, recycled glass, natural aggregate and fly ash, these surfaces contain up to 80 percent recycled material. The slabs are offered in three sizes—33 in. x 100 in., 64 in. x 128 in. and 72 in. x 130 in. The countertops are heat-resistant and extremely durable, and unlike petrochemical-based materials, they do not fade with UV exposure.

[8] Oceanside Glasstile's Muse
A collection of handcrafted mosaics featuring precise edges and containing up to 86 percent post-consumer recycled glass, Muse is offered in more than 40 colors and three finishes—iridescent, non-iridescent and matte—as well as Twilight, a new textured metallic. The line consists of 7/8-in. x 7/8-in. mosaics, as well as nine field patterns with shapes such as diamonds, mini-bricks and mini-sticks.

[9] DeVerre Elements' recycled glass surfacing materials
As a result of a patent-pending, handcrafted process, DeVerre artisans have created three collections—stone, brick and wood—comprised of between 40 to 100 percent recycled post-industrial glass. Emulating the look of natural materials, these collections feature rounded edges, are smooth to the touch and can be used as standalone surfacing or continue an existing design of stone, brick or wood with the same shapes and textures in glass.

[10] ShetkaStone's recycled paper countertops
Utilizing a patented process, ShetkaStone converts 100 percent post-consumer or post-industrial fiber-based materials, such as wastepaper, cardboard, cloth or plant fiber, into countertops. Engineered with interlocking fibers to build strength and resilience, this surface is highly durable, water- and stain-resistant, as well as sustainable. Thicknesses range from 1/4 to 1 1/8 in. and the countertops are available in a variety of colors, including latte brown, counterfit green, northern lights black and publisher grey.



































[11] Silestone's Muro
This collection of pre-meshed tiles is created through 100-percent closed-loop recycling, which recovers Silestone's fabrication scrap materials and inputs them into the manufacturing of the same product. Muro is available in 20 colors, including Ivory Coast, blue Sahara, coffee brown and Capri limestone. It is also offered in four different styles: DaVinci, Matisse, Picasso and Botero. Tile sizes vary from 1-in. x 2-in. rectangular pieces to 4-in. x 4-in. squares.

[12] Architectural Systems Inc.'s Eco Leather Tiles
Made from post-industrial recycled leather scraps from the furniture and automotive industries, ASI's newest addition to the Resilient Collection is offered in two textures—standard and embossed—and eight colors, ranging from chocolate and caramel to almond and olive. Tiles come in 12-in. x 12-in. and 18-in. x 18-in. sizes, featuring a natural variation that increases with use and age.

[13] Yemm & Hart's Wine Cork Tiles
Recycling post-consumer wine cork stoppers, Yemm & Hart produces tiles for walls and floors in 36-in. squares with thicknesses of 1/4 in, 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. The tiles are sanded on one side and come ready to be adhered to a floor, wall or other substrate. The wine cork stoppers have been collected from various contributors.