In a 10-year period from 2004 to 2014, the global production of plastics increased from 225 million tons to 311 million tons. That includes recycled plastic lumber, which is made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
With its strength, durability and ability to be customized, recycled plastic lumber is an ideal building material in many applications , especially in those that effected by extreme weather conditions such as snow, ice, wind, rain and heat.
Recycled plastic lumber is eco-friendly and is easy to install. If that wasn’t enough, recycled plastic lumber doesn’t crack or split like traditional lumber and isn’t susceptible to rotting. As previously mentioned, recycled plastic lumber can be used across a wide spectrum of applications which include:
- Furniture: Plastic lumber can help extend the life of your outdoor future. It’s durable, more so than traditionally treated lumber. You can leave your furniture outside and you don’t have to worry about it rotting, molding, breaking down due to moisture and it will be resistant to bugs. You can use recycled plastic lumber to repurpose benches, chairs, tables and other outdoor pieces.
- Landscaping: Recycled plastic lumber is ideal for landscaping, especially for building signs, garden beds, walls and decks. It’s sturdiness ensures that any structures you build will stand up against all kinds of conditions and it won’t rot.
- Docks and boat launches: Docks and boat launches share a common denominator of being near water. Because of this, recycled plastic lumber is an ideal construction material since it doesn’t rot and will hold up well from exposure to water and sunlight. Because docks and launches are in heavy use during the summer months, plastic lumber can hold up against bumps, scrapes and whatever other conditions arise out of heavy use. As an added bonus, it won’t harm marine life like some other building materials.
- Fencing: Whether you’re putting up fencing around a house or installing fencing for another purpose, plastic lumber is the right choice. It’s easy to install and won’t require constant maintenance after it’s been installed such as new coats of paint or repairs. Plastic recycled lumber comes in a variety of colors, so you can pick whatever you’d like, even types that resemble traditional hardwoods.
- Parks: More and more of the nation’s state parks are taking steps to become as eco-friendly as possible. By using plastic lumber to construct park amenities, a park’s carbon footprint can be even further reduced. Plastic lumber is weatherproofed, so picnic tables, boardwalks, benches and trail markers will all be able to hold up against a variety of conditions for as long as the park is open.
- Doors and windows: Another application where recycled plastic wood is effective is in windows and door frames. It is very cost-effective and very low-maintenance. Your windows and door frames will be protected from all kinds of weather and common household annoyances such as moisture.
When you get right down to it, recycled plastic lumber is a perfect building material. It’s strong, durable, weatherproof and can be used in a variety of applications, whether you’re looking to fix some things around the house, contribute to a local community service project or are employed in a construction job. Not only are you working with a versatile material, you’re working with something that’s environmentally friendly and is going to last long after you install whatever it is you build whether it’s outdoor furniture, a fencing system or a boat dock.
