When you think about recycling you might remember the days of separate containers for bottles, cans, and paper. Modern recycling is much easier; everything is mixed together in one container, or comingled. At the recycling plant the materials are sorted through many steps. Cardboard and paper are removed by hand and by machine. Metal, glass and plastic are separated from each other. Using magnets, shaking conveyers, by hand, and through other methods the material is sorted. The materials are packaged in huge bails and wait to be transported to a manufacturer that will give this garbage a new life. Recycling is uses less energy than producing new glass, aluminum, and plastic, it also cuts down on the amount of garbage go into our landfills. Another great way to reduce your contribution to these landfills is to purchase green and sustainable furniture.
One of the most common types of recycled plastic is called High Density Polyethylene or HDPE. Typically plastic “timber” is made from about 95% the recycled plastic known as HDPE, 5% is comprised of color, a foaming agent and UV stabilizer. Because of its density, HDPE weighs approximately 20% more than cedar, so you don’t have to worry about anything being blown away. HDPE is a flexible plastic that will not crack, break, splinter, or break down due stress or extremes of hot and cold, there for there is no need to store the furniture during adverse weather conditions. It is virtually maintenance free and comes in many different colors that will never need to be repainted.
Polyethylene wicker for your backyard
Most people consider recycling as a means of disposal. We need to keep in mind the whole purpose and that is to use again. There is an astonishing amount of companies that are making new thing out of recycled plastics. We need to embrace these products to help relieve some stress of the natural environment. There is sustainable furniture made from recycled plastics that are good if not better than some of their wooden counterparts. You never know what products are waiting for you that are environmentally friendly and stylish.