Recycled/Plastic Wood Products
Plastic lumber made from post-consumer and
post-industrial waste (including soda and milk bottles, plastic grocery bags, etc.) is
available from many manufacturers. Plastic wood offers several advantages over natural
wood. It is generally resistant to rot, mildew and insect infestation, making it desirable
for seawalls, docks, and other marine applications. Decks, picnic tables, landscaping
ties, benches and refuse containers are also common uses for plastic wood. Some plastic
lumber is injected with dyes during the production process, which makes stains and paint
unnecessary. Uncolored products can generally be painted. Most plastic wood cannot be used
for load-bearing capacity. Like natural wood, plastic wood is subject to expansion and
contraction with heat; however, the magnitude of expansion may be much greater than with
natural wood and varies from product to product. Most recycled wood products can be cut
and shaped with traditional wood working tools, but many manufacturers recommend the use
of special fasteners in construction. Since most plastic lumber does not have the same
bearing strength as natural wood, it is crucial that manufacturers specifications
regarding the distance between supports be followed very carefully.
Update Note (April 98):
Recycled plastic wood products will behave differently than wood if
burned. In Redwood National Park, an arson fire burned a plastic wood restroom constructed
with Durawood. It is believed that an accelerant was used. Durawood is more resistant to
fire than pine, but it will burn (especially when an accelerant is present); as the fire
progresses, the product will liquefy. Traditional methods of fire fighting (ie. applying
water) may spread the fire. Dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide are preferable to
water in these instances. It is imperative that park staff and maintenance people are
aware of this issue.
1. Earth Care Products: http://www.ecpl.com/products.html
made from 100 post-consumer HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
comes in a variety of colors including black, gray, green, white, brown,
blue, cedar, red, weathered wood, yellow and sand
product will float wood-textured surface
50-year warranty
manufacturer offers pre-constructed picnic tables (ranging from
$300-$650 in cost), which are theft resistant due to their weight (averaging around 300
pounds)
formerly called "Duratech" plastic lumber
Contact:
Earth Care Products
2300 Glades Rd. Suite 440W
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(800)65-EARTH
2. Hammer’s Plastic Recycling: http://www.world-playground.com/Hammers/
product composed of 100% post-consumer plastic
picnic tables available in brown, gray and cedar, with other custom
colors available
graffiti and dirt resistant
Contact:
Hammers’ Plastic Recycling
10252 Hwy 65
Iowa Falls, IA 50126-8823
(800) 338-1438
3. Phoenix Recycled Plastics: http://members.aol.com/plaslum/index.htm
manufacturer offers lifetime warranty
100% recycled product (content is not revealed in literature)
available in a variety of colors including white, weathered grey, teak,
slate, pale green, redwood, tan, spice, grey, and black
Phoenix offers a structural grade product for use as posts, beams and
joists
bulkheads, landscape ties, sheeting and finished furniture (tables,
benches) are available
Contact:
Phoenix Recycled Plastics
225 Washington St.
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 940-1590
:
4. Rebound Plastic Lumber:http://www.rrpm.com/Old%20
site/rebound.html
recycled plastic product (milk jugs and garbage) with natural bulk and
fillers
hollow, rather than solid (reducing weight)
great for use in fences
composting bins and planting beds also available
Contact:
Recycled Plastics Marketing
2829 - 152nd Ave. NE
Redmond, WA 98052
(800)867-3201
5. Renew Plastics: http://www.renewplastics.com
composed of at least 95% recycled HDPE (high-density polyethylene), from
post-consumer and post-industrial material
sustain normal load at temperatures from -40°
F to 110° F without cracking or warping (when insulated
properly)
available in a wide variety of colors including: tan, badger brown,
black, black green, blue white, brick, bright blue, bright red, bright yellow, caramel,
cedar redwood, Colorado sand, Danish blue, dark gray, DOT yellow, Dover white, forest
green, light gray, light oak, Milwaukee brown, taupe, weather wood, white as well as
custom colors
Contact:
Renew Plastics
112-4th St. , PO Box 480
Luxemburg, WI 54217-0480
(800)666-5207
6. Trimax Plastic Lumber: http://archevita.com/lcp/trimax.html
not easily painted, but available in colors
does not need special fasteners
does not absorb water
resists animal odors and wastes
uses fiberglass filler for greater structural integrity
Contact:
Trimax Plastic Lumber
2076 Fifth Avenue
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
(516) 471-7777
7. Durawood: http://www.eaglebrook.com
HDPE, UV-inhibited pigment systems, foaming compounds and selected
process additives
resists chemicals, corrosive substances and other environmental stresses
multiple colors including: cedar, weathered redwood, light oak, gray,
white, green, dark brown and black, with other custom colors available
not recommended as structural member (i.e. In bearing walls, framing or
floor joists)
some expansion and contraction with heat and cold
20 year limited warranty
used in boardwalk at Old Faithful
Contact:
Eaglebrook Products
2600 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 491-2501
8. Trex: http://www.trex.com
recycled wood fiber and recycled plastic mix
wood provides more structural strength and UV protection, skid
resistance
plastic helps resist rot and insect infestation, low moisture absorption
10 year warranty
can be stained or painted
does not need to be sealed
surface will weather to grey (similar to natural wood products) with age
and exposure
most stains (discoloration) can be removed with commercial deck washes
or by sanding
Contact:
(800)BUY-TREX
General Comments and Testimonials
We cannot stress enough that the manufacturer’s specifications
must be followed VERY CAREFULLY. Plastic wood will not have the same qualities as natural
wood, and construction techniques will need be adapted accordingly (i.e. supports may need
to be closer together than with natural wood, screws may be necessary rather than nails,
etc.) Please be sure to check with the manufacturer as to the limitations/adaptations
needed for each specific product.
The following remarks were taken from email comments submitted by park
operations and maintenance people who have had experience with recycled wood products:
Campers tend to place hot pans on the tops of tables, which will leave
flat melted spots. Some parks have installed heat-resistant pads to combat this problem.
Arches National Park has used 4x4 posts to mount trail signs with great
success.
Plastic wood tends to be heavier than standard lumber, which has its
pros and cons. Picnic table tend to be heavy, so they won’t be easily moved, but it
can also be a problem if they need to be moved for maintenance.
Some materials (specifically when used in picnic tables) tend to sag in
warmer climates.
To increase traction, sand can be added to stain or latex and applied in
a heavy coat to paintable products. Some manufacturers also offer ‘traction
treatment’ products.
General opinion is that plastic wood has better traction than natural
wood.
Use of carbide blades is recommended, as some products will gum up
standard saw blades.
Using soap will make screwing decking down easier, as most products tend
to be tougher than wood.
Some products will become hot in the sun (no bare feet!).
In high heat (100+ degrees), some plastic wood smells.
Specific Products:
Trex
Joists can be no more than 12" on center, or boards will sag.
Trex seems to hold up well to sun exposure, fading to a uniform slate
gray.
Several park employees have like Trex well enough that they have used it
in their own homes.
Trex will not function as a structural member.
In varying weather condition, Trex seems to hold up well.
Surface can be stained or treated with latex.
Use of screws in pre-drilled holes is recommended, as nails tend to work
their way out of the surface after several months.
The surface of the product is soft and susceptible to scratches.
Trex maintains its new appearance over several years.
Trex has been used in the following parks: Arches NP, Lassen Volcanic NP,
Biscayne NP, Everglades NP.
Trex Update (March 1998)
Trex has been used at Hawaii Volcanoes NP in several applications. As sign
posts, it works well for smaller signs, but deflects and will not support larger signs.
Trex was also reinforced with galvanized 1" pipe for use as railing, and has been
very successful.
Durawood
Durawood has an anti-slip surface on one side.
Benches will tend to sag under the weight of a person and not bounce
back quickly.
Even when steel braces are used, there is still some sagging.
By consensus, the "weathered redwood" shade is most natural
looking.
Under the weight of heavy snow, tables have sagged or broken.
Durawood has been used in the following parks: Everglades NP, Golden Gate
NP, Jefferson National Extension Memorial, Mount Rainier NP, Redwood NP.
Durawood Update (March 1998)
Durawood was used for decking at the USS Arizona Memorial. There has been
some expansion and contraction, but since the contractor was aware of this issue, the gap
was set properly and there have been no problems. Fasteners appear to be holding well.
See note concerning an arson fire involving Durawood in
Redwood NP.
Hammers’ Plastic Recycling
Hammer’s Plastic Recycling wood has been used in the following park:
Voyageurs NP. |
