Expanding the World’s View of Sustainability and Plastics Recycling

At one time, plastic bottles and other materials were just tossed into America’s landfills. Nowadays, they are recycled into everything from soft, luxurious fabrics to lumber and indoor/outdoor furniture. There are even charities overseas that are converting plastic bottles into low-income housing, businesses, greenhouses and children’s playhouses.

We know that it may sound strange at first to hear that soda bottles can be made into fabric and other useful items, but it is true. The plastic bottles are essentially cleaned, chopped into pieces, melted and turned into polyester yarn. The polyester yarn is then used to weave seat covers, cushions, awnings, pillows and much more.

When it comes to picnic tables, backed benches, indoor furniture and accessories, the previously discarded plastic is often treated in a similar manner. Milk jugs, soda bottles and other items made with high density polyethylene are typically collected and cleaned. Afterward, they are purified and enhanced. The enhancement process often includes the addition of color pigments and UV stabilizers.

Once that’s done, the plastic is formed into assorted pieces of indoor/outdoor furniture, lumber, lighting fixtures and accessories. Good examples of what we are talking about may be found in our line of environmentally friendly benches and picnic tables. Manufactured with sustainability in mind, they have a look that is similar to their wooden counterparts. Some of the designs are ADA compliant, which makes the tables suitable for inclusion in outdoor, public spaces. Others are specifically designed for children and work well in home or daycare settings.

We should also mention that because of the materials involved in the recycling process, those types of furnishings tend to have unique properties too. Among them is a resistance to mold, mildew, salt water spray, rot and color fading. Those features essentially make the outdoor furniture long lasting and maintenance free.