In parks, gardens, golf courses and other green spaces across the country, it has become increasingly common to see recycled plastic benches dotting the landscape. There are a great many reasons for this recent proliferation of recycled plastic park benches, ranging from environmental consciousness to basic economics.

In the United States, nearly 30 million tons of plastic waste is generated every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Plastics recycling seems an obvious solution to this problem, as well as an economically beneficial one. It uses nearly 50 percent less energy to recycle plastic than to create new plastic from fossil fuels, and it uses far less energy than incineration. Though many municipal recycling programs and private waste management companies collect recyclable plastics -- the kind that can be used to create products such as recycled plastic park benches -- the supply of recyclable plastic does not always meet demand. This critical sector of the green economy depends on consumers making the choice to recycle their plastic waste, balanced with demand for recycled products such as steel frame recycled plastic benches.

One of the most useful products of recycled plastic is plastic lumber. Plastic lumber, used in the manufacture of steel frame recycled plastic benches, makes use of recycled high-density polyethylene plastic, commonly used in consumer packaging such as milk jugs, bottle caps, and detergent bottles. Just one of these plastic benches removes more than 1,000 milk jugs from the waste stream. 

Recycled plastic lumber offers a number of distinct advantages over traditional lumber above and beyond their environmental benefits. The plastic lumber used in plastic benches is a water resistant, chemical resistant, UV resistant, graffiti resistant material that is splinter-free, impervious to insects, impenetrable to bacteria and never needs to be stained or repainted. Recycled plastic park benches are a virtually maintenance free and longer lasting alternative to traditional wood benches. Perhaps best of all, the material used in plastic benches can be recycled again when they have outlived their intended use.

Moreover, an investment in recycled plastic park benches for a municipal park or real estate property is an investment in the nation's green future. It saves trees, creates local jobs, keeps waste out of landfills and reduces dependency on oil products. 

Something as common as a park bench doesn't seem like something that could change the world. Given enough use in landscaping projects across the country, steel frame recycled plastic benches can certainly make a difference.