http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_intro.html
for the story of this countertop product.

http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_palette.html
for the page on the web site with the closeup of the patterns. WOW.

Beautiful countertops made from 85% recycled glass...some very unusual patterns in a very durable product. Go to their site for specs and LEED info.

The following is from their web site:

"Vetrazzo wins the first annual Green Log Home & Lifestyle AwardsTM in the countertop division. Judged most eco-friendly from a crowded field of surfacing options."

Get this...each of their patterns has a story behind it. For instance, Alehouse Amber has this story:

"Alehouse Amber...Drinking a cold one on a hot day….it puts you in the right state of mind. Drop your bottle in the recycling bin, kick back, and think how you just made the world a little better. The bottle is on its way to its new life. It’s in your countertop. Refreshingly re-purposed... into Alehouse Amber."

That's just one of the clever stories behind the patterns made from recycled champagne, beer, water, soda and wine bottles, as well as condiment jars like oliver jars and pickle jars...and more. The site does encourage recycling and after seeing their patterns, I don't think I can toss another pickle jar away...and I eat a lot of sweet pickles. I could have recycled enough to do an entire kitchen just this year. Shame on me...Pasadena just revamped their recycle center. I'll check to see if they take glass. If they don't take glass, I will make a phone call to the Mayor's Hotline. I drop a lot of paper there but actually never noticed if they had a glass bin. We are all slowly coming around to the obvious, I guess.

http://www.fuez.com/
Similar product with different approach to the patterns. Similar good credentials.

http://www.fuez.com/collection.php
Here is web page with their patterns. They use concrete, stone, and earth, so that may be why they appear to have a wider variety. Didn't find what the other 15% of Vetrazzo was.

Today's home remodeler and home builder have a lot to think about. The choices available are no longer just functional, they are absolutely beautiful.

The old reliables, Formica and Wilsonart, are not being left in the dust either. Wilsonart now has the Greenguard certification for some of it's products. Here's the info on that, something I care very much about...since outgassing is one of the things that sends me outside a building quicker than a mouse or a cockroach.

"Wilsonart International proudly announces that the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute™ has awarded its GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification to the company for its high-pressure decorative laminate, solid surface and flooring products. These Wilsonart products were tested under the stringent GREENGUARD Standards for low-emitting products. Choosing low-emitting products can significantly reduce the level of potentially irritating contaminants in the indoor environment. All GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® products ensure minimal impact on the indoor environment."

Another reason I prefer the laminates is that they are more forgiving if you drop something. Many folks don't have the grip they used to have, and granite is not a friend of good crystal or milk glass or other collectibles. As far as patterns, laminates win hands down for me...so many different colors and shades. Maybe it isn't a 2010 status symbol, but it is affordable and easy to care for with only a few drawbacks.

All these products are beautiful, give us a wide variety of choices, and last a long time. What is great now is that they are one less thing to make our families sick.

http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_care.html#surface
This is a link to Vetrazzo's comparison chart to other countertop products. Some competitors may have different opinions, of course.

As far as building products are concerned, I believe it would be insane for any of the major players to not be thinking GREEN in a big way. I don't see this particular product line going back. Now if we can just get those builders to lower the high ceilings of those energy sponges they are building today. Most young couples are not anywhere near their earning ceilings and many can't handle the high house payments AND the high energy bills. With high ceilings, homeowners can't even find the time to paint the living room wall after their kids get a little older and stop writing on them. They have to hire it done by professionals who have the correct equipment. The parents buy a huge two-story house with giant energy bills and other expenses associated with it, then order a green building product like these countertops. Many need to see the big picture.