Go green with your kitchen's backsplash

There are lots of ways to make your kitchen eco-friendly, such as installing formaldehyde-free cabinets and floors, implementing electric-induction cooktops, upgrading your appliances to more energy-efficient solutions and using green cleaning products. One other way to be environmentally friendly in the heart of your home is through your kitchen’s backsplash. This pattern can bring color and character into the space and create a focal point in the kitchen, which draws attention to your beautiful sink and antique fixtures. Backsplashes also help protect your walls from any spills or stains. Turn this decorative element into an environmentally friendly backsplash using these recycled materials:

Glass
Glass takes quite a long time to break down when it’s in a landfill – one million years to be exact. Therefore, when glass is recycled and transformed into other items, the process is saving energy. According to Houzz, recycling this material uses only 30 percent of the energy that is needed to produce glass from raw materials. Glass is also extremely durable and an affordable option for your kitchen. Should anything spill on your backsplash, the material is extremely easy to wipe clean so that it looks sparkling and good as new. The subtle color variations of the glass tile also draw the eye into the backsplash, creating a stunning focal point. Pair your glass tiles with antique fixtures for a beautiful vintage kitchen design.

Metal tile
Recycling aluminum is great for the environment – it consumes a whopping 95 percent less energy than creating new aluminum from raw materials, according to Houzz. If aluminum is not recycled, it will sit for up to 500 years in a landfill until it has been fully broken down. Metal tile can easily be incorporated into a contemporary kitchen design for a touch of freshness. Its metallic qualities brings a certain shine to your backsplash which you won’t get with any other material.