The beer and wine bottles you tossed out after last weekend's soiree just might end up as a place to set down your next round of drinks if IceStone has anything to say about it. Operating out of a daylight-lit factory in Brooklyn, NY, this sustainable company churns through an estimated 3 million pounds of recycled glass each year to create a green countertop alternative to counters made with non-renewable quarried stone, such as granite.

Using a recipe of discarded glass, cement binder and sustainably harvested (or post-industrial) mother-of-pearl chips, IceStone prevents waste from entering landfills and creates a versatile product that can be used for flooring, tabletops, or kitchen and bathroom counters. IceStone surfaces can require a little more cash up front than conventional options, but its strength and heat-resistance rival that of granite and marble. The price of IceStone surfaces varies depending on color choice, but expect to pay roughly $90-$145 per square foot with installation and labor. Check the IceStone Web site for showrooms near you.

Additionally, you can rest (and breathe) easy knowing that IceStone materials are VOC-free, and have received the MBDC's Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification for "environmentally-intelligent design." A palette of 24 sleek shades is available, with the option of customizing your countertop to match almost any color scheme.

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