In this article, Jonathon Pearce, head of sales, Centriforce, explores the benefits of recycled plastic lumber, and how the material is emerging as an alternative to timber construction
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health recently found that 18% of large particle pollution in the UK is caused by the construction industry, and 97% of people working in the construction industry believed air quality was an ‘extremely or very important’ environmental concern.
With the growing concern among workers within the industry, combined with the astronomical impact on the environment, we need to put on a united effort to reduce the industry’s impact on the environment.
Perhaps it may come as a surprise to some, but timber is not as ethical a construction material as you may think.
Disadvantages to the use of timber in construction
- Deforestation
- Loss of biodiversity
- Increased carbon emissions
Thankfully, sustainable timber alternatives made from recycled plastics are increasingly available, offering improved durability without the need for mass deforestation – protecting the planet and even outperforming traditional timber.
Recycled plastic was listed in the top seven eco-friendly materials of 2020 by BuildPass, an expert sustainable construction consultancy.
Despite being a fairly new and innovative material, recycled plastic alternatives to timber are becoming increasingly popular and already being used in nature reserves, outdoor decking and seating – the possibilities for their use are always growing.
Read on to find out a few of the key benefits of choosing recycled plastic timber alternatives for your construction materials.
What is recycled plastic lumber?
On the face of it, recycled plastic lumber both looks and feels just like wood – in fact, it’s more than likely you will have seen, and perhaps even felt, recycled plastic lumber without noticing a difference.
From park benches to nature reserve boardwalks, recycled plastic is being used everywhere for its ability to hit green initiatives as well as its superior strength and longevity, all the while still retaining the desirable aesthetic and texture of wood.
The plastic your business and household recycles is sent to a material recovery centre where it’s compressed into bales, typically around 450-680kg – which is then sold to companies who turn them into recycled plastic lumber.
What are the advantages of recycled plastic lumber?
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Strength and durability
One of the key advantages of recycled plastic ‘lumber’ is exceptional durability. Unlike traditional wooden timber, plastic is both water- and rot-resistant, ensuring the material doesn’t shrink, swell or weaken when exposed to moisture, preserving its structural integrity.
Rather than replacing timber when it loses its structure, using recycled plastic alternatives reduces the frequency of replacements and minimises resource consumption. This makes a crucial difference to the way you can store it.
Timber made from recycled plastic can be stored outside all year round – even in the wettest and coldest winters without needing to be covered up. Such practical qualities extend to commercial use.
Benches made from recycled plastic lumber can easily be wiped down to dry them after getting wet whereas traditional wood becomes sodden, taking hours, even days to dry fully.
This is why sustainable alternatives to timber are designed to out-live traditional timber; it not only helps preserve the environment, but also keeps business costs low.
2. Environmental impact
The ecological impact of deforestation for timber extraction cannot be ignored. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing CO2 emissions, and their removal disrupts the natural carbon cycle.
Sustainable timber alternatives help address this issue as they don’t require the destruction of trees and forests. Plus, recycled plastic lumber stays the same weight no matter the weather unlike traditional timber which becomes heavier as it absorbs water. This has benefits on two accounts. It reduces transportation-related emissions – making it the greener choice.
It also reduces additional fuel costs making it a more cost-effective material to transport. The industry-wide effort to cut emissions starts with making executive decisions at the materials stage of the construction journey.
If all construction companies chose materials that do not fluctuate in weight and are longer lasting, fewer emissions will be released by delivering them, which would significantly reduce our industry’s part in creating harmful emissions.
Plastics haven’t always had a good reputation, and even recycled plastic products aren’t all made equally.
It is important that you do your research when buying sustainable alternatives to timber, as sometimes their advertising can be misleading. The latest report by Greenpeace USA claims recycled plastic products run the risk of leaching into the environment, which harms the local ecosystems and can impact humans.
Therefore, it’s crucial that you check any materials closely and ensure any manufacturers are transparent about their approach to preventing environmental leaching. This way, you can opt for a recycled plastic lumber alternative that does not leach harmful chemicals into the environment, to make sure you’re not curbing one environmental issue while creating another.
3. Cost-efficiency
Incorporating sustainable alternatives to timber can bring about numerous long-term cost benefits. One such alternative is the utilisation of products made from recycled plastics, which exhibit exceptional tensile strength and durability.
They have been proven to outlast traditional wooden timber by up to four times, significantly reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements. This advantage not only helps builders save on spending but also contributes to environmental conservation, creating a win-win situation.
Furthermore, recycled plastic lumber offers additional advantages in terms of maintenance and ongoing expenses. Due to its stain- and chew-resistant qualities, this material is virtually maintenance-free. As a result, there is no need for costly upkeep or treatments, further reducing ongoing expenses associated with timber maintenance.
By embracing sustainable alternatives like recycled plastic lumber, builders and construction companies can experience substantial long-term cost savings. These savings are achieved through the increased durability and reduced maintenance requirements of the material.
Additionally, the use of recycled plastics helps mitigate environmental impacts by reducing the demand for new timber, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly construction industry.
4. Versatility and ease of use
Sustainable timber alternatives offer versatility across a wide range of applications and industries. Their adaptability makes them ideal for construction projects including residential, commercial, and public buildings.
Compared to traditional timber, recycled plastic alternatives are also easier and quicker to process. This results in saving time and resources during construction – making the switch to recycled plastic lumber the ideal move for your business and the environment.
As mentioned, sustainable alternatives to timber are significantly lighter in weight, making them easier to transport and handle on site. As they are easier to carry and handle, it makes the construction process far more efficient, allowing projects to be completed in shorter amounts of time.
Recycled plastic lumber enhances site safety
A further benefit of the lighter weight and easier to carry enhances worksite safety. Enhanced safety measures in the workplace should be given utmost importance, and efforts to improve it should be prioritised whenever feasible.
Construction sites are full of inherent dangers due to various hazards, heavy materials, and powerful machinery. It’s hardly surprising that these workplaces account for nearly 10% of non-fatal work-related injuries caused by handling, lifting, or carrying heavy objects. However, you can mitigate the risk of lifting-related injuries by choosing lighter alternatives to traditional timber, thereby reducing the burden on workers and recycled plastic lumber offers just that.
Arguably the most valuable tool a builder possesses are their hands, which makes it all that more important to protect them from damage – this includes splinters. Recycled plastic lumber does not split, crack or splinter mitigating the chance of injuries, unlike wooden timber which is liable to cause splinters or cuts, especially when working with unfinished wood.
The time has come for the construction industry to embrace sustainable alternatives. We can help limit deforestation damage, reduce carbon emissions, and promote a more circular economy by switching to eco-friendly materials.
Together, we can build a greener future while meeting the growing demands of our modern world.
Jonathon Pearce
Head of Sales
Centriforce
