Why Choose Plastic Timber?
Plastic timber offers significant advantages over traditional wood, particularly in terms of durability, low maintenance, and resistance to environmental factors. Unlike wood, plastic timber is immune to rotting, warping, and insect infestations, making it ideal for a variety of outdoor applications, such as decks, patios, and public benches. It’s especially well-suited for marine structures like docks, where resistance to moisture and marine-boring organisms is critical.
In tropical regions, where termites and high humidity wreak havoc on traditional wood, plastic timber stands out as a superior, tree-free alternative. It is termite-resistant, moisture-proof, and helps to reduce the demand for natural wood, contributing to forest conservation.
Sustainability at its Core
Converting recycled plastics into versatile, durable building materials is an outstanding example of a “Win-Win” technology—a solution that benefits both business and the environment by minimizing the impact of human activity on the planet. As Elliot Maynard put it in Transforming the Global Biosphere, this type of innovation is essential for safeguarding the future of our planet.
The Urgent Need to Reduce Deforestation
Tropical rainforests, though covering less than 2% of the Earth’s surface, are home to nearly 60% of all known species of plants and animals. However, deforestation is driving an alarming 50,000 species to extinction every year, altering global hydrological cycles and contributing to widespread issues like drought, desertification, flooding, and soil erosion.
In the United States alone, the amount of wood consumed annually is nearly equal to the combined weight of all metals, plastics, and cement. If current trends continue, the majority of Earth’s temperate forests could be gone within the next few decades.
By choosing plastic timber, we reduce our reliance on wood, thus helping to preserve precious forests, protect biodiversity, and mitigate the environmental impacts of deforestation. It’s an essential step towards a more sustainable, resilient future.
