Plastic lumber is often the end product of the plastics (mechanical) recycling chain.
Which may go as follows
- Virgin PET bottle to fleece or carpet
- Carpet fibers to plastic lumber.
- Plastic lumber to waste disposal plant – though manufacturers claim that plastic lumber can be recycled again.
This process is sometimes called DOWNCYCLING.
It is a versatile product especially good for wet or high risk situations and it is very easy to make
Key points to note about recycled plastic lumber (as taken from the industry website)
- Reduction of energy consumption by 66%
- Production of only a third of the sulphur dioxide
- Production of only half of the nitrous oxide
- Reduction of water usage by nearly 90%
- Reduction of carbon dioxide generation by two-and-a-half times
- 1.8 tonnes of oil are saved for every tonne of recycled polythene produced
- Lasts 5 times longer than timber
- Rot and algae proof
- Crack, chip and splinter proof
- Insect and animal resistant
- Non slip
- UV resistant
- Vandal Resistant
- Less Flammable than timber
- Easy to clean
- Can be worked like timber
- Holds screws and fittings well
- Reduced Whole Life Costs
- Diverting Material from Landfill
- Reduces the carbon footprint of any project
- Labour saving – minimal maintenance
Find out more at British Recycled Plastics
More on recycling here
Other ways to recycle and reuse plastic trash here
Recycling and waste plastic – a discussion