Recycled Plastic Furniture Maintenance

Here is some really great information on maintenance for your Recycled Plastic Furniture from our friends at Loll Designs. Enjoy!

Recycled Plastic Furniture

When one first hears about recycled plastic furniture many may envision a dull, chunky design with little to no color or just another throw away plastic item.  In reality, recycled plastic furniture offers the opposite of those first assumptions. 

Recycled plastic furniture is colorful, stylish and durable and a growing leader in Sustainable Outdoor Furniture.  There are many benefits to owning recycled plastic furniture such as Environmental, Style & Durability and Low Maintenance.

Environmental Benefit:

The environmental benefits of recycled plastic furniture are many and varied.  Although plastic materials differ in manufacturing procedures and additional materials, first time plastic materials do indeed have effects on the environment. As well as hazards that are produced by the original plastic composition, the discarded used containers cause detriment to the environment by clogging up many of our world’s landfills. In the landfills, the plastic materials do not receive the necessary expose to UV and microbes to degrade, which causes the plastics to just take up space and waste energy. An estimated 9.2 billion plastic bottles are disposed of each year, an amount that could be dramatically reduced by recycling. 

Recycled plastic furniture and materials keeps plastics out of landfills, and there is plenty of plastic material in the US so production of recycled plastic can stay USA made supporting local economies. For instance, a typical Adirondack style chair from Loll Designs made in Duluth Minnesota uses about 400 one gallon milk jugs per chair. The recycled value of an object gains value with each lifetime that it is re-used, creating a cycle of usefulness rather than waste.  Products that are higher in recycled content such as 100% HPDE recycled plastic from Frog Furnishings and Loll Designs are 100% recyclable at the end of their life. The purchase of recycled plastic furniture can be seen as a large investment in the environment. Purchasing site furnishings made from recycled plastic that is recyclable at the end of its life is regarded as a cradle to cradle product rather than a cradle to grave product. Cradle to cradle describes the recycling and eventually reusing of waste materials into manufactured products rather than the permanent disposal and eventual waste of those products. In addition, recycled plastic furniture will contribute to LEED credits MR 4.1 and 4.2 (Recycled Content) and possibly MR 5.1 ( Regional Materials).

Photo Courtesy of Loll Designs

Style and Durability:

Recycled plastic furniture comes in many durable and beautiful styles from traditional Adirondack chairs made by Poly~wood to contemporary made by Loll Designs. The furniture is extremely long lasting and durable.  In the production stages of recycled plastic furniture, vibrant color is added and locked into the material.  The color of the furniture does not fade with time, a characteristic advantageous of recycled plastic furniture. In addition, with the wide variety of colors and styles of furniture, everyone is bound to find the perfect furniture fit for their home, patio, business, and park etc.

Another advantage that may be taken into account is the weight of the recycled plastic furniture, and the way that the furniture stays in place as if it is planted into the ground. You will not have to worry during a wind storm if your furniture pieces will be blown over or lost. With most recycled plastic furniture delivers there is a variety of ground mount kits, to offer extra security for the product.

Maintenance:

Forget about maintenance with recycle plastic furniture because there basically is none, other than a periodic wash with a power washer or hose. Recycled plastic furniture will not warp, fade, splinter or need refinishing. Recycled plastic furniture is becoming popular for use in all climates from pool side settings, all-season roof top gardens to ski areas because of the non-effect that sun, wind and rain have on the furniture.

Pen, marker, or paint is easily removed from the material and does not set like it may in fabric, and cuts or scratches can be simply sanded or ironed away. 

Maintenance is minimal, and recycled plastic furniture is becoming a favorite with all end users from people from facility managers for universities and parks to restaurants to homeowners and their backyard patios. Recycled plastic furniture costs a bit more but saves money and energy in the long run due to its long life span. Money is saved not only from the replacement costs and lack there of but also from the cost of fuel to ship the products and labor to order and install. 

Meaning of Recycled Plastic Furniture:

Growth is stimulated by the purchase of recycled plastic furniture. Upon each purchase in the greener industries, the business is stimulated and opportunities are opened to even further support green business and technology. 

In conclusion, recycled plastic furniture is the wave of the future in outdoor furnishings for many reasons.  Made in the USA, local industries are supported that manufacture and sell the furniture.  Shipping costs and fuel use are much lower than bringing in furniture from Asia.  If your furniture is manufactured within 500 miles of your LEED project, a credit can be given for Regional Materials, (MR Credit 5.1).  Little to no maintenance is required and the furniture is aesthetically pleasing in many different styles and colors. 

Add recycled plastic furniture to your park, business, project or home and show your community that you are taking steps to preserve Earth’s resources. The money saved from the durability of the products will serve as a bragging right over your new purchase, and you will become a definite trend setter and save you or your organization valuable time and money.  Demand for recycled materials and product is on the rise, with traditional materials declining. Recycled plastic furniture is becoming the way of the future, an advantageous purchase and wise investment.