Actor, Ed Begley, Jr, is a super enviromentalist and had a show regarding green home products on HGTV last year called 'living with ed'. He and his wife updated their kitchen with glass counter and here's what he has to say about them, pulled from his website, link provided below:

After the episode 'Point-Counter-Point' aired a few weeks ago, I've been flooded with emails asking about our new kitchen countertops. A lot of you want to know more about them, and where they can find them.

The company that created the countertops made from recycled material is Vetrazzo. They take different materials to come up with various colors and designs. They use anything from broken glass thrown out in recycling bins to used traffic lights. I think it's a creative way to take objects that most would consider trash and turn it into something functional and beautiful.

The top that Rachelle and I ended up choosing is called 'Hollywood Sage' and is made from broken up soda bottles. There are over 1,000 bottles used just to make the countertop for our small kitchen.

If you want more information about having these types of countertops installed into your home, go to this website: www.vetrazzo.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Living with ed, glass counter tops

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. And it's resin based. So while the glass is recycled the material that holds it in place is not. It's all a balance act.

We looked at it and ended up with granite.

There was a post here recently that included the link below to information about "green" countertops. You might find it useful. I briefly considered Enviroglass for a powder room vanity, but ultimately decided it was not the look that I was going for. It's very expensive, and some would argue not really as "green" as you would think. As a novelty or in a small space such as the circular piece inset into timber that you describe, it might be just the thing for you. Anyway, the link below will tell you of various US manufacturers. No need to go to England for recycled glass. There's plenty of that here! By the way, you might have gotten more responses if your topic had been Recycled Glass Countertops -- just a suggestion.

Here is a link that might be useful: Green Countertop Information

zodiaq just released four new colors that are 60% recycled glass

Hi, thanks for the replies. I'm in the UK (Well the Isle of Man which is near enough -lol), which is why the link is English.

Ed Begley Jr, that rings a bell - was he on St. Elsewhere (a long time ago!)?, I'll take a look at that link - thanks.

The countertop I was looking at is 85% recycled, so despite the resin I'd say that was a fair compromise :) But the $$$$ comment worries me! I haven't gone as far as looking for prices.

Will also have a look at Zodiaq.

I'd also thought of an inset piece because I'm not sure I'd like the feel of a whole worktop done in the glass. I love the look of granite, but don't like the coldness,the glass might feel similar. Usually we go for timber worktops. But a piece of glass would be good for rolling pastry etc and I perhaps wouldn't have to sell my mother to buy it!

Well, I've had a look at the links, if anything I'm more in love with this product. Though I think it would be better as an accent piece. I would perhaps be a little concerned about the Vetrazzo containg fly ash, as some of this can be heavily contaminated depending on it's source.

Haven't found the zodiaq glass over here, just the normal quartz range. But it's 3am and I'm going to have to go to bed!

Have you looked at GLASSeco? They use 95% recycled glass bottles and recycled plastics.

Here is a link that might be useful: GLASSeco

We looked seriously at IceStone, but were really disappointed with it in person. The vibrancy shown on a monitor just wasn't there in the sample we had. It was ok, but it reminded me of my elementary school floor. (We had a host of other issues with it too, but most of that was based on the cement binder they use.