Are you updating for yourself or for sale? If the former, then it doesn't matter what is "in" -- that is, you get what you like. If updating for a sale in the near future, then I'd say white cabinets with granite or quartz counters, although I'd check to see what the norm is in your specific neighborhood.

Get what you like. There are so many variations of granite & Quartz I'm sure you'll find a style you like. I have granite but would choose Quartz if I were remodeling now, but either one nice.

"Granite is still better than plastic counter tops."

Sorry, but you wouldn't have most granite countertops without plastic. Tops are resinated at the quarries as they are polished because without such treatment, they would stain, be weaker, and more unsanitary. Resinated granites must be used indoors only as sunlight will cause the resin to peel.

Quartz or engineered stone countertops could not exist without plastic. Again, quartz crystals are mixed with polyester resin. Quartz actually fits the technical definition of solid surface, like Corian does. Quartz cannot be used outside.

Corian and other similar solid surfaces are acrylic (think Plexiglas) with aluminum tryhydrate filler instead of quartz. They have a 50-year track record of looking and performing outstandingly indoors.

There are tradeoffs to all countertops which requires study and evaluation to match the customer's needs. This requires much more work and research than making categorical flippant statements.

Granite isn't TOTALLY out... there are some other finishes besides the shiny granite that most people are used to. I just had my perimeter counters covered in steel gray brushed granite. I had originally thought I wanted to go with soapstone but couldn't find any locally that I liked. I wanted more texture than most of the quartz counters I saw and this leathered granite fit the bill perfectly for what I wanted.
(I would've gone with walnut cabinetry if I had tile floors, but I have cherry stained red oak floors in my kitchen, so I did go with painted maple cabinetry instead. White perimeter cabinets with the granite on them, and dark grey island covered with a walnut top. I like texture and contrast.)

I care about the environment, and for that matter, I would not consider Granite at all. I would pick more environment friendly options like Quartz or Dekton. They are better for the environment, more resilient, and easier to maintain then granite. Good luck!

Student:

Where are you getting your information? How is quartz mining that much less environmentally damaging than granite or bauxite mining? Where do you think the cement binding the recycled glass countertops comes from?

Bamboo makes a hell of a nice top, is a quickly grown and an easily sustainable grass, but has to be shipped quite a distance. Take a look at products like Paperstone which is about 25 squished newspapers per slab thickness.