From preparing meals to sorting the mail, your kitchen countertop is undoubtedly one of the most used surfaces in your home. Choosing an environmentally friendly and non-toxic countertop is an important decision when building a green home or starting a green kitchen remodel. Here are two suggestions for choosing a green countertop.

Bamboo: A renewable natural resource, bamboo countertops are beautiful and earth friendly. Bamboo destined for countertops is often sold in large slabs which must then be sealed and fitted to your kitchen. Bamboo countertops are available in several designs, including flat grain, vertical grain, and parquet end grains.

Glass: Although you might be skeptical about installing a recycled glass countertop, the material is actually a very durable surface. Recycled glass countertops are available in large solid slabs of pure glass, or glass/concrete blends, which can be formulated to match your decor. Glass countertops are particularly attractive when highlighted with accent lighting under kitchen cabinets or in other areas of your kitchen.

Looking for resources for completing a green remodel or green construction? Before you get your tool belt and hammer, check out these websites, which feature information on green building techniques and environmentally friendly construction materials:

BuildingGreen.Com: Building Green features information and news on green construction and green building materials. Their website includes an extensive list, searchable by category, on environmentally friendly products which includes everything from green decking materials to non-toxic paints, interior trim and roofing.

Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA’s website offers quite a lot of free information for green building and green remodeling, including how to reduce indoor air pollution, and how to improve water efficiency in new construction. In addition, the EPA lists state and federal funding sources for green building grants and incentives.

Green Home Guide: An extension of the US Green Building Council, this website offers free guidelines for green home renovations, green product lists, and green building case studies via PDF download. In addition, you’ll find current environmental news and reports.