| With the resurgence of the recycling trend, | | | | materials for years. These materials include |
| people are looking for ways to recycle | | | | virgin foamed polyurethane and glass |
| plastics. Unlike papers, these polymeric | | | | reinforcement. These make their trains run |
| materials take a long time to disintegrate. | | | | faster but quieter.Are plastic lumbers better |
| As a result, they end up as trash and added | | | | the natural wood? In some ways, plastic |
| burden to our overflowing landfills. They are | | | | lumbers are found to be better than natural |
| even more sinister when they disintegrate. | | | | wood in key aspects. Using these plastic |
| Materials like plastic bags degrade and melt | | | | replacements bear little to no disadvantage |
| into their chemical components which mix with | | | | compared to natural wood. As a natural |
| the methane in the garbage. The toxic | | | | material, wood is strong and supple. |
| compound formed seep through the ground and | | | | Unfortunately, to maintain its quality, |
| water table to combine with the ground water. | | | | wooden materials need regular upkeep and |
| As you probably know, most of our water needs | | | | replacements. The wood ties used in railroads |
| are obtained from the ground water. Mixed | | | | must be replaced after seven years. |
| with the plastic-methane compound, the ground | | | | Meanwhile, these plastics are estimated to |
| water is polluted and made unsafe.To prevent | | | | last for 20 years even without regular |
| or, at least, minimize this risk, the | | | | maintenance.The advantage of plastic lumbers |
| government is encouraging the utilization of | | | | does not end here. Plastic lumbers are |
| plastics in crafts and other recycling | | | | cheaper and more cost-effective than natural |
| method. You've probably seen plastic | | | | wood. These plastics are not prone to rot, |
| figurines, recycled containers, and other | | | | splintering, and cracking. The polymeric |
| recycled plastic stuff. But there's a use for | | | | materials used in plastic lumbers are denser, |
| recycled plastic materials which few people | | | | more graffiti-proof, stain resistant, and |
| are aware of: as plastic lumbers. The | | | | insect repellent than wood. In addition, |
| polymeric materials have been harnessed as | | | | plastic lumbers are also |
| replacement for lumber since 1994. One of the | | | | environment-friendly. Unlike using wood, no |
| first projects that used plastic lumbers | | | | new trees are cut down just to make plastic |
| include the replacement of the wooden ties | | | | lumbers. These new type of lumbers are made |
| used in railroads. Since then, most ties in | | | | of used plastic containers, like those used |
| railroad stations and subways have been | | | | for shampoos and milk jugs. In retrospect, |
| replaced with plastic ties. However, the idea | | | | plastic lumbers also reduce plastic wastes. |
| is not exclusive to America. In Asia, Japan | | | | From this perspective, plastic lumbers are |
| has been using ties made with composite | | | | efficient and cost-effective use of plastics. |