The green building trend is in full swing. From big business to single family homes; everyone is looking to help protect our natural resources. Our senses are barraged with images in the media of global warming flooding the planet and the shrinking rain forests. Reduce, Re-use, Recycle is our mantra. Concrete, in general, is not very eco-friendly. However, there are some simple things that can be done to decrease the impact that concrete countertops can have on our environment:

Reduce - Portland cement, the main ingredient in concrete, requires a lot of energy to produce. This bundled energy can be reduced through the use of cement replacements called Pozzolans. Some Pozzolans, such as fly-ash are post industrial by-products that can be added to decrease the amount of Portland cement required while still yielding strong concrete. Another alternative is to use a CSA, Calcium Sulphoaluminate, cement which requires less energy to produce.

Re-use - The formula for strong concrete includes cement, sand and aggregate. Many times aggregate comes in the form of small stones mined from the earth. With concrete countertops, this aggregate can be in the form of colored glass or just about any other hard material that does not absorb moisture. Use your imagination and what you have around at hand to add a decorative and interesting focal point to your countertop. Ask your concrete countertop designer about using post-consumer aggregate in your project.

Recycle - Use recycled material for aggregate and locally sourced materials if possible.

Ask about the process.   Find out what your concrete countertop designer uses to build their works of art.  Reduce your carbon footprint.

**Note:  This post has been edited to remove incorrect information regarding the recycling of concrete with rebar.  Concrete with rebar is recyclable.  Thank you Brian Creasy of Coulee Concrete for correcting us.