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