Gardening Articles: Landscaping :: Yard & Garden Planning by
Alex Wilson Gardeners are usually the first to praise the
natural and authentic, and the first to avoid anything
"plastic." But when it comes to using wood in the garden, they
face a conflict: whether to use rare or exotic trees that are
naturally rot-resistant, or turn to less-resistant wood treated
with potentially toxic chemicals to prolong its useful life.
There is a third way: substitute woodlike plastic materials for
the real thing. These "woods" score points environmentally
because they resist decay and rot, and are made entirely of
recycled matter. They've come a long way in both looks and
performance, and now that structural load-bearing components are
also available, low-maintenance and long-lasting decks,
walkways, boardwalks, arbors, raised beds, and other outdoor
structures can now be built entirely from these materials.
Compared to wood, lumbers of recycled plastic will never need
staining or sealing, and they never produce splinters.