The material of plastic has been so valuable to us humans that since the 1950’s alone we’ve produced over 8 billion metric tonnes. The ever-increasing concern is the impact this has had and is having, on our planet. The common question is, what can we do about it? There’s no one solution to tackling plastic waste, but multiple methods together can start to make a difference. Ours, you ask? Recycled plastic wood!

Combating Plastic Pollution

It’s an ever-increasing problem that needs to be tackled. By finding alternative uses through reusing and recycling, or reducing the amount of plastic we produce, finding alternatives for plastic products it’s a start. Another solution is prolonging the ‘single-use’ plastics life, by putting it towards other uses. Examples of these can be bottles, bottle lids and plastic bags. Some plastic is toxic and disrupts healthy life, with marine litter harming more than 600 species with them digesting the plastic or polluting their natural habitat.

Plastics are also a contributing factor to the Anthropocene, the planets most recent geologic time period defined as being directly influenced by humans, altering the planets atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic and biospheric systems without natural causes. This shows the impact of human activity, such as producing plastic and plastic waste, and the impact this is having.

Single-Use Plastics Ban

In October 2018, The European Parliament voted for a complete ban on various single-use plastics across the union to stop ocean pollution. A quote from the announcement stated;

“ by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans”.

Even with Brexit, the UK will need to comply with these new rules. On EU beaches alone, 49% of litter is made up of single-use plastics, the largest percentage out of any other plastic category found in our oceans.

Plastic Wood Benefits

So how does using plastic wood benefit you? The following reasons are directly impacted by the use of our very own recycled plastic wood composite, tackling some of the most threatening materials to our planet.

1. Reducing Waste and Recycling

The average household throws out 40kg of plastic per year, which instead of heading into our oceans or our forever full landfill sites, could be recycled and put to other uses. By having a recycled plastic wood composite product, you’re putting the otherwise harmful plastic back into permanent use for a more ecologically friendly cause. Long term, this could be a widespread solution to keeping plastic products in use, applying their afterlife to more permanent, non-damaging uses. Including recycling plastic in everyday use products would aid massively the amount of plastic that ends up in oceans and landfill.

2. Stronger Materials

Plastics in different forms have specific qualities, from being more condensed for strength, to transparency for bottles. The density that makes plastic bags useful, lightweight, and relatively strong is something only plastic can offer, with the plastic bags we use in everyday life taking between 10-1000 years to decompose. Plastic bottles can take 450 years, and generic plastic items can take 1000s of years.

However, specific qualities such as strength can be applied to more permanent fixtures such as bins, doors and benches, removing the plastic from landfill and adding properties that current products don’t have. The stronger plastic composite material means our products are easier to maintain and clean whilst withstanding weathering better.

3. Longer Lifespan

With stronger materials it means our benches last up to 20 times longer than a conventional wooden or timber made bench. Our bespoke products can be a mainstay in your local parks, schools and houses, with increased durability from combining the materials. The longer lifespan means the initial investment will need updating less regularly and can withstand everyday life.

4. Future Uses

The composite can still be recycled easily just like your traditional wooden products if you decide to change. The combination of plastic and wood creates a more durable material with a longer lifespan, reducing the amount of cost you’d have to spend overtime on replacements or maintenance. All of these features still do not compromise the look and feel of a traditional wooden product.

Contact us today to get a quote for pricing and fittings! You can do this through our contact form, or call us on 01162 849888. For more information on the exact doors we stock, please visit our composite doors page, and visit our projects gallery for inspiration!