Tuesday, September 26, 2006
All Bottled Up
From Trash to Tile With Recycled Glass
That beer bottle you tossed in the recycle bin just might end up gracing your kitchen backsplash or your bathroom floor. Glass tiles and terrazzo made from recylced glass are gaining in popularity and variety.
Glass tiles have been around for a couple of thousand years. They offer a clarity and depth impossible to achieve with clay tile. Despite their delicate translucence, glass tiles are harder than clay and are stain- and waterproof.
While upscale European manufacturers use raw materials, here in the U.S. most glass tile is made from beer bottles, windshields and other recycled glass.
Located in Carlsbad, California, Oceanside Glasstile has been producing and selling luxury glass tiles since 1992. The current glass tile operation uses 1000 tons of recycled glass each year. Oceanside’s varied offerings include several collections of pearly iridescents.
Boise, Idaho-based Sandhill makes its tiles from 100% recycled glass which would otherwise end up in landfills. Each tile takes less than one-half of the energy to produce than ceramic tile, and less than one-fourth of the energy of cast-glass tile. Sandhill’s tiles are available in 36 colors with evocative names like buttercream, honeydew and sandalwood.
In San Luis Obispo, Artisan Tile & Marble carries tile from Oceanside Glasstile. Sandhill tiles are available at Matt Clark Tile & Stone.
Posted by admin at 08:02 PM under flooring, tile & stone • kitchens & baths • green
