The Bedrock Quartz team is thrilled whenever we can help customers create the perfect kitchen or bath space with new granite, quartz, or marble countertop installation. We hear a lot of interesting questions during the design stage, not the least of which is what customers should do with their old countertops. Should they just throw them out with the trash, or is there something else to consider?
Throwing old countertops away is pretty common, but it is not the only option. There are other things you can do to keep them out of the local landfill. Just know that your options may be limited by the materials you are working with. Below are some of our favorite choices.
Consider Repurposing Them
Repurposing and upcycling are pretty common these days. Both are options for old countertops. Could you use them in other rooms in the house? For example, an old kitchen countertop would make an ideal workbench out in the garage. A used bath countertop could be repurposed as a utility shelf.
If you are working with wood and laminates, you might cut up a large countertop into smaller pieces that could be transformed into cutting boards. We’ve even heard of old countertops being converted into nightstands, end tables, and patio tables.
Give Them Away
Another option is to give those old countertops away. There may be people in your local area who could repurpose the countertops, even if you can’t. DIY types love to search for old building materials they can work into their projects.
There might also be local charities that could use the countertops for their own building projects. Your old countertops might prove especially useful for a local soup kitchen, temporary shelter, church, or private school.
Contact Your Local Recycling Center
Certain types of countertop materials are very recyclable. The only question is whether your local recycling center will accept them. The only way to know for sure is to ask, so make a phone call or send an email. If your countertops can be recycled, doing so is a better choice than just throwing them away.
The one caveat here is that you may have to pay a fee to drop the countertops off at a recycling center. It probably won’t be a substantial fee, but there may be a fee, nonetheless.
Consider Selling Your Old Stone Countertops
People sometimes replace their countertops just because they want a new look in a remodeled space. Meanwhile the old countertops still function perfectly well. They even look good. If that’s the scenario you are looking at, you might actually be able to sell your old countertops to someone else also looking to remodel.
Maybe you are replacing an older granite countertop with a newer quartz installation. Someone else in the local area has always wanted granite but can’t afford it. Selling your used countertops at a discount gives that person the opportunity to have their own dream kitchen on a budget.
When All Else Fails
Although it is rare, there are times when every other option fails and there is nothing left to do but throw those old countertops in the trash. It happens. Throwing old countertops away isn’t ideal, but sometimes it needs to be that way.
If you are thinking it’s time to replace those old countertops, we hope you’ll consider Bedrock Quartz. We offer complete granite, marble, and quartz countertops supported by professional installation and top-notch customer service. We would be honored to play a role in your kitchen remodel. We also offer a large selection of quartz, granite, stone and marble countertops for countertop installation for bath and powder room projects.
