I remember reading an article in either Fine home building or This Old House a few years ago they had some unique materials that had been made into counters....paper was one, another that caught my eye was one made from waste metal shavings encapsulated in resin

I have not heard anything about these since...sounds like a neat idea though

They work great. There is a patina that develops over time with the true recycled ones. You can also consider paper resin ones. Here is a post by our very own talented Lee Anne- http://www.hometalk.com/activity/143780