If you are in the market for a picnic table, times have evolved past the day of the classic wooden picnic tables. Americans have become more concerned with the condition of our planet, and more people are "going green." A result of this trend is a rise in the popularity of recycled plastic picnic tables. Constructed from recycled milk jugs or other similar plastic containers, these tables are an environmentally friendly alternative to wood. Many plastic tables are built with "plastic lumber," which mimics the image of a wooden table, while others are created in brilliant, playful hues.
This plastic lumber is manufactured in several different ways. The most basic lumber is composed entirely of polyethylene. However, it is often combined with other resources to enhance certain attributes of the lumber. For example, when polyethylene is mixed with wood, it creates a better surface.
If filled with glass-fiber, plastic lumber becomes sturdier, while plastic lumber created from recovered thermoplastics is cheaper. Polyethylene can also be combined with rubber, concrete, steel, and many other materials to build recycled plastic picnic tables. As more people jump on the plastic picnic table bandwagon, a larger variety of choices have become available. Recycled plastic tables can now be found in the standard 6 'and 8' rectangles, as well more unusual shapes. These options include oval tables, pedestal tables, hexagonal tables, and round tables. The more demands increase as people discover the advantages of plastic picnic tables, the more designs, colors, and other choices you will find.
The main benefit of recycled tables is environmental. Plastic table manufacturers are recycling plastic containers that would usually be tossed in a landfill, instead of cutting down trees and producing extra lumber waste. The American government is hoping to reduce the amount of recyclable materials in rapidly expanding landfills, and reusing resources is one of the best ways to do accomplish this goal. By creating plastic recycled lumber, manufacturers are redirecting plastic from garbage dumps and using them in a brand new way. Also, recycled plastic picnic tables can be recycled once they are done being used.
Not only do these tables save lumber and recycle plastic, they also have serious economic rewards. Recycled plastic tables need far less attention than wood tables require. Plastic picnic tables do not rot, fracture, or splinter like wood does. Plastic does not require paint, sealants, or other preservatives. They also can handle harsh storms, and are bug-resistant. Plastic lumber bends more easily than actual wooden lumber, and therefore can be shaped in many different ways.
Although they are more expensive to purchase, Plastic picnic tables may cost more money at the get-go, but their lack of maintenance requirements and longer durability end up costing less in the long run. Recycled plastic is an important option to consider when purchasing a picnic table, whether for your family or your workplace. Environmentally, recycled plastic picnic tables reuse discarded plastic and prevent overfilling of landfills. They also eliminate unnecessary treated and untreated excess lumber. The benefits of plastic picnic tables are also financial. Although they cost more than wooden ones, if you spend the extra money now, you will eventually save money on maintenance and replacements if you purchase a recycled plastic picnic table in lieu of a standard wood table.