ECO by Cosentino in White Diamond.

I’ve discussed eco-friendly countertops before, but in the past, most manufacturers of recycled countertops were not exactly big, mainstream companies. That’s starting to change, and one company that is leading the charge is Cosentino. Mostly known for their Silestone line of quartz countertops, Cosentino has recently rolled out a new collection of recycled countertops called ECO. (ECO was released in April and is priced between $68 and $118 per square foot, with prices varying with thickness and color. For more information, visit the ECO Web site.)

I recently spoke with Cosentino North America’s VP of Marketing, Lorenzo Marquez, about this new venture:

Having a more mass produced line of recycled countertops goes a long way toward getting consumers’ attention. How long do you think it will take for recycled countertops to reach the ubiquity of other surfaces like natural stone, laminate, solid surface and quartz? With ECO, Cosentino is leading the movement towards creating sustainable materials on a mass scale that are accessible and affordable. ECO by Cosentino is available at all Lowe’s stores nationwide, specialty kitchen and bath distributors and showrooms across the country. ECO is competitively priced in the same range as mid-priced granite. This is a great example of green becoming mainstream, accessible and affordable.


ECO samples in Black Forest and White Diamond.

ECO is made from 75% post-consumer and post-industrial material. Can you explain how these "post" products differ from other recycled products? All recycled products are categorized as either a post-consumer or a post-industrial product. The difference between post-consumer and post-industrial is in the original purpose of the material and where it was used. For example, post-consumer products would be products that were directly used by a consumer, such as a coffee cup or office paper. Post-industrial products derive from factories and manufacturing waste, such as plastic, glass and metal scraps. Post-consumer and post-industrial recycled products are defined as:

ECO is unique because it uses both post-consumer and post-industrial raw materials in its composition. By utilizing these recycled materials, Cosentino is “upcycling” products that have reached the end of their lifecycle, meaning that they cannot be incorporated in to any other industrial product and would otherwise collect in a landfill site. Reutilizing this large amount of material prevents it from building up at landfills year after year, and reduces the need to mine for new resources. 


ECO sample in Riverbed.

How should a person care for ECO countertops? As far as maintenance goes, do they require constant or minimal attention to maintain their look? ECO is easy to maintain and care for because it is non-porous and does not require sealers.  With ECO, Cosentino delivers a durable surface that has high stain, scratch, scorch performance, and is easy to maintain over the years.

While most people would consider these countertops for the kitchen, how would they hold up in the bathroom? Can you get custom edges and custom holes drilled for sinks and faucets? ECO can be used for kitchen and bathroom countertops, wall coverings and flooring. ECO maintains the same durability and high-end sophisticated look in a bathroom setting as it would in a kitchen. Custom edges and applications are obtainable with ECO.

Is there a specific recycled product that is primarily used throughout the consistency of ECO countertops? There is no single primary material that is used to create ECO. ECO is composed of all of the following raw materials:

• Mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories.
• Glass from windows and bottles.
• Granulated glass from consumer recycling practices.
• Porcelain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and decorative elements.
• Industrial furnace residuals from factories in the form of crystallized ashes.
• Corn-oil resin.
  
  

However, depending on the desired color, one raw material may be used in higher quantities than another. For example, ECO’s Polar Cap, Crystal Ash and Star Light tiles all have a highly sparkly and reflective look—this is because the three have been composed with higher quantities of recycled mirror.  

What types of resins or other materials is the recycled content mixed with to ensure durability? ECO is bound together with a proprietary corn-oil based resin. This resin is the result of a major research and development initiative and is unmatched in the surfacing industry. Cosentino employs highly sophisticated manufacturing practices that ensure a durable final product.