Sustainable roundups: 10 eco-friendly surfacing materials
Countertops, backsplashes, vanity tops…surfacing materials are used in a myriad of places in interiors.
And there exists a myriad of options to choose from!
In this episode of Sustainable Roundups, we’re discovering 10 planet-friendly options, all sourced — as usual — from SforSustainable, the sustainable interior design platform I curate.
Stone debris
The natural stone industry generates plenty of leftovers, from bigger stone chunks to stone powder.
These can all be reused in surfacing materials that owe their beautiful terrazzo texture to nothing less than waste.
Product selection:
Still speaking of stone debris, a lot of it is created during building demolitions. And a circular design mindset suggests those too should be upcycled into something useful!
Product selection:
Discarded textiles
Textile waste is a major problem in our world. If fast-fashion is one of the main offenders, slow-design can be part of the solution.
An example? Take denim scraps, mix them with acrylic resin and get a low-emitting surfacing material!
Product selection:
Wood
Wood serves many functions in interior design. But what to do with offcuts and wood dust? And what happens when a wooden furniture piece is discarded?
Both questions find an answer in sustainable surfacing materials made with recycled wood!
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Recycled glass
Moving on to another waste stream, let’s tackle glass.
Dipping recycled glass shreds into resin creates a sturdy and sustainable surfacing material. Another modern take on terrazzo, with tons of colour combinations available.
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Recycled plastic
Plastic waste is another material that’s available in large volumes. And solid surfaces are one of the many ways of reusing it. The resulting materials range from speckled terrazzo designs to subtle patterns, providing an option for more or less graphic applications.
Product selection:
Organic waste
What about organic waste? Sure that too can live again in the form of a surfacing material! Lentils, onions, artichokes, oranges, and beans are just some of the elements that can lend their unique colour and texture to interior surfaces.
Product selection:
Roundup
Click on individual names for a detailed explanation of what makes each material a sustainable choice
1. Altrock — by Altrock
2. Ecoterr — by Coverings Etc.
3. Urban Terrazzo — by TFOB
4. Denim — by TorZo
5. Rewood — by SAIB
6. Foresso — by Foresso
7. Resilica — by Resilica
8. Blizzard — by Plasticiet
9. Good Plastic — by The Good Plastic Company
10. Ottan Wall — by Ottan
To sum up, all of these surfacing materials are produced starting from some sort of waste, thus challenging the very use of this word.
Besides emptying overflowing landfills, these materials provide an alternative to natural stones — whose extraction is heavily disruptive to the environment.
Yet one more proof that we can design beautiful interiors without weighing on the environment!
Originally published at https://dfordesign.style on February 5, 2021.
