Trending Sustainable Materials

CORK- Cork is popular for its natural anti microbial properties, water resistance and sound dampening. Use it for flooring applications, or CorkDotz now makes cork penny tile out of recycled wine corks that makes it perfect for a kitchen backsplash!

BAMBOO- Known for its sustainable nature (Bamboo is very quick growing and self sustainable), high durability, and its warm wood-like features makes it very popular. Like Cork, there are several companies on the market making anything from flooring, to soffits. Check out Moso Bamboo X-Treme for a one stop shop of all things bamboo. 

SEAGRASS- Popular in both wall coverings and carpeting it is bio degradable, and moth and mite resistant. 

SISAL- Comes from plants like agave or pineapple. Very durable, straight fibers make it a breeze to clean and a great carpeting type option. 

TENCEL FIBER- Derived from wood pulp, great flooring option that can get wet like carpet. Soft on the feet, and it can be professionally steam cleaned. 

WOOL- Great insulator, but even better flooring. 100% natural wool has fibers that are strong enough to hold up to anything, but it does stain easier, so beware if you have kids and dogs. 

RECYCLED GLASS- Recycled glass is showing up everywhere. With plenty of colors, durability, no shrinking or swelling, and a hint of shimmer you can now get it for tiles and countertops. My favorite companies: Ocean Mosaics (tile), Vetrazzo (counters, 85% of final product is recycled), Icestone (100% recycled glass, Portland cement and non toxic pigments), 

RECYCLED PAPER- Recycled paper is being re-used in big ways and is appearing as backsplash, wall paper and countertops. Just be careful, some of them can lack durability and water resistance. I like utilizing it for countertops, where I know it will be strengthened and durable. Check out Paperstone Recyled Paper and Resin where they guarantee a lifetime of stain resistance while using 100% post consumer regaled paper in combination with a petroleum free resin creating a non-porous surface. Another great one is Richlite Composite surface. Made from stacking sheets of 100% post consumer recycled paper stacked on top of each other, saturating with phenolic resin and applying heat and pressure, this product is so strong the military uses it for planes. Even better? Its dark colors won’t show white scratches over time. 

RECYCLED MIXED MATERIALS- Eco chic has come a long way, and many companies are mixing materials to come up with gorgeous, strong, green products. Silestone has created Sunlit Days a collection that is a hybrid formula of perineum minerals, recycled quartz and glass. This collection reduces between 50%-90% of crystalline silica depending on the colors (all of which are inspired by the mediterranean). The other mixed material counter company that sticks out is Grenite Recycled Glass countertops utilize a mix of recycled quartz, glass and/or acrylic to create their stunning pieces. Last but not least, if you are in the market for a composite deck, try some samples from Cali Composite Decking. They utilize 60% reclaimed wood fiber and 40% recycled plastics and have an array of colors. The best part? They have a 25 year residential warranty. 

COCONUT SHELLS- Coconut shells started gaining traction years ago, which means it has improved immensely, and can be cut in several different styles, and various color ways. This super durable, microbial, and fully biodegradable tiles can be used for backsplash, wall covering, cladding, and in lieu of wooden paneling.