In an era of increasing environmental awareness and resource conservation, plastic lumber has emerged as a sustainable, durable alternative to traditional wood products across numerous sectors. Made primarily from recycled plastic materials that might otherwise end up in landfills, plastic lumber offers exceptional longevity, weather resistance, and virtually no maintenance requirements compared to conventional lumber. Its versatility allows it to thrive in demanding environments where traditional materials quickly deteriorate—from saltwater marine applications to chemical processing facilities.
As industries seek materials that combine performance with sustainability credentials, plastic lumber continues to expand its footprint, offering cost-effective solutions that frequently outperform traditional materials over their extended lifecycle. The following overview highlights how diverse industries are leveraging the unique properties of plastic lumber to solve specific challenges while contributing to circular economy initiatives.
Agriculture & Animal
Plastic lumber helps farms reduce operating costs by providing long-lasting, low-maintenance materials that don’t absorb water or leach chemicals. The ease of sanitization and durability of plastic lumber make it an excellent choice for animal enclosures, contributing to a healthier environment for livestock and pets.
- Livestock fencing & enclosures: Resistant to animal chewing and won’t splinter (Tangent Materials’ recycled plastic fencing at multiple Midwest dairy farms)
- Raised garden beds: Doesn’t leach chemicals into soil (Growing Spaces using recycled plastic lumber for their garden domes)
- Compost bins: Resistant to rot and moisture (EcoChoice bins used by community gardens nationwide)
- Animal shelters: Weather-resistant and easy to clean (Tractor Supply using recycled plastic lumber for animal housing products)
- Feed/water troughs: Won’t absorb bacteria like wood (NuDura plastic lumber troughs at industrial poultry operations)
Automotive & Transportation
Plastic lumber finds applications in various forms of commercial transportation, particularly where durability and low maintenance are crucial. While less direct in “lumber” form, the principles of recycled plastic are applied to automotive components. Wood-plastic composites (WPCs), which are related, are gaining traction.
- Vehicle flooring: Durable, cleanable surfaces (Composite Transport Technologies using plastic lumber for bus and truck flooring)
- Loading docks & ramps: Impact resistant (Bedford Technology’s heavy-duty ramps at distribution centers)
- Truck bed liners: Durable and weather resistant (DuraPlast truck bed solutions for commercial fleets)
- Equipment mounts: Vibration dampening (Tangent providing mounting systems for fleet vehicle equipment)
- Transit station furnishings: Vandal resistant (Polywood benches and tables at public transit stations)
Commercial & Institutional Buildings
Utilized in constructing durable dock fenders and pilings that withstand marine environments.
- Loading docks: Heavy duty marine-grade applications (Tangent’s heavy-duty marine grade plastic lumber at Port of Los Angeles)
- Container supports: Won’t rot or corrode (Bedford Technology structural marine-grade supports at Jacksonville Port Authority)
- Mooring dolphins: Resilient in constant exposure (Crane Materials International’s plastic piling systems at multiple Gulf Coast ports)
- Fender systems: Impact absorbing (Trelleborg using plastic lumber components in their marine fender systems)
- Pier decking: Long-lasting in harsh environments (PermaTrak’s boardwalk systems at San Francisco’s Pier 39)
Commercial Marine, Dockage, Piers, Wharfs, and Ports
The longevity, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal of plastic lumber make it suitable for high-traffic and public-facing environments.
- Outdoor furnishings: Benches, tables for parks/campuses (Polywood furniture at Yale University campus)
- Planters & tree surrounds: Won’t rot from constant moisture (Green Theory Design using recycled plastic for commercial planters)
- Walkways & boardwalks: Slip-resistant, splinter-free (Tangent’s plastic lumber boardwalks at Mayo Clinic’s nature paths)
- Restroom partitions: Water/mold resistant (Scranton Products’ plastic partitions in school buildings nationwide)
- Window & door frames: Superior insulation (Chelsea Building Products’ plastic lumber frames in commercial buildings)
Construction
Plastic lumber is gaining significant traction in both residential and commercial construction due to its durability, low maintenance, and environmental benefits.
- Decking & railing: Resists rot, insects, and weathering (Trex decking installed in over 1 million homes across North America)
- Fencing: No painting, low maintenance (Bedford Technology fencing at residential developments in coastal regions)
- Siding & trim: Won’t warp or rot (CertainTeed using plastic lumber components in their siding systems)
- Landscaping timbers: Resistant to ground contact deterioration (Landscape Structures using recycled plastic timbers in playground borders)
- Sound barriers: Weather-resistant and durable (Sound Fighter Systems using recycled plastic lumber for highway noise barriers)
Engineering & Architecture
Plastic lumber offers architects and engineers a versatile and sustainable material with specific performance characteristics.
- Structural supports: Where moisture resistance is critical (Bedford’s FiberForce structural members in water treatment facilities)
- Retaining walls: Long-lasting ground contact applications (Eagle Bay’s plastic lumber retaining wall systems for commercial properties)
- Outdoor structures: Gazebos, pergolas, pavilions (Amish Country Gazebos using recycled plastic lumber for their structures)
- Bridge components: Pedestrian bridges, especially in wet environments (Axion plastic lumber for pedestrian bridges in national parks)
- Form work: Reusable concrete forms (Bedford Technology’s reusable forms in highway construction)
Governmental
Governmental bodies leverage plastic lumber for its long lifespan, reduced maintenance needs, and environmental benefits in public infrastructure and facilities.
- Park benches & picnic tables: Low maintenance public amenities (Polywood park furnishings in New York City parks)
- Lifeguard towers: Weather resistant (Tangent providing plastic lumber for Miami Beach lifeguard stations)
- Trail markers & signage: Won’t rot or need repainting (National Park Service using recycled plastic for trail markers)
- Military applications: Weather resistant structures in remote locations (Bedford’s FiberForce structural materials for military housing)
- Prison facilities: Security fencing and furniture (Homeland Security using recycled plastic lumber for detention facility furnishings)
Industrial & Manufacturing
The robustness and resistance of plastic lumber to harsh conditions lend it to various industrial applications.
- Material handling pallets: Durable, cleanable, consistent weight (ORBIS using plastic lumber for food-grade pallets)
- Storage racks & shelving: Chemical resistant (Bedford plastic lumber shelving in chemical processing facilities)
- Walkways & catwalks: Non-slip, corrosion resistant (Tangent’s industrial platforms at multiple manufacturing plants)
- Equipment mounts & bases: Vibration dampening (Plastic lumber equipment pads at industrial HVAC installations)
- Safety barriers & bumpers: Impact absorption (Leading Edge Safety using plastic lumber for warehouse barriers)
Infrastructure
The resistance to chemicals, moisture, and corrosion makes plastic lumber suitable for challenging infrastructure environments.
- Utility poles: Non-conductive and rot resistant (RS Technologies’ composite utility poles in regions with extreme weather)
- Cable protection: Underground conduit supports (Bedford Technology’s materials for underground utility installation)
- Culvert headwalls: Erosion control (American Recycled Plastic’s culvert systems along highway drainage systems)
- Stormwater management: Detention systems (Prinsco using recycled plastic components in their water management systems)
- Pipeline supports: Chemical resistant spacers and supports (Tangent supports for industrial pipeline installations)
Marine
Applied in constructing docks and fender systems due to its resistance to moisture and marine organisms.
- Docks & piers: Resistant to salt water, won’t rot (Bedford Technology’s SeaPile structural marine pilings at numerous Florida marinas)
- Bulkheads & seawalls: Resists erosion and marine borers (PermaTrak’s plastic lumber seawall systems along coastal developments)
- Fishing piers: Safe, splinter-free walking surface (Texas Parks & Wildlife using recycled plastic lumber for public fishing piers)
- Marina decking: Slip-resistant when wet (Tangent Technologies’ decking at Chicago’s Navy Pier marina)
- Boat docks: Won’t deteriorate in constant water exposure (MoistureShield docks at Lake Mead Marina)
Power, Energy, Water & Wastewater Facilities
As with infrastructure environments, the resistance to chemicals, moisture, and corrosion makes plastic lumber well suited for use.
- Cooling tower components: Resistant to chemicals and moisture (Bedford’s structural components in power plant cooling towers)
- Water treatment walkways: Corrosion resistant (Tangent’s boardwalks at multiple municipal water treatment plants)
- Chemical storage containment: Won’t deteriorate from exposure (Bedford’s chemical-resistant containment systems)
- Solar panel mounts: Won’t degrade from UV exposure (Eco-Building Products using recycled plastic for solar mounting systems)
- Transformer pads: Non-conductive base material (Renewable Plastics’ transformer pads at utility substations nationwide)
Railroad & Freight
Plastic lumber offers a durable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood railroad ties.
- Railway ties: Far outlast wooden ties, especially in wet areas (Axion’s ECOTRAX ties used by major freight railroads)
- Crossing platforms: Durable, low maintenance (American TieTek’s plastic lumber rail crossings on commuter lines)
- Noise barriers: Sound dampening along tracks (Tangent noise barrier walls along Amtrak corridors)
- Loading platforms: Industrial strength applications (Bedford’s loading platforms at intermodal facilities)
- Mile markers & signage: Weather resistant (Plastic Lumber Yard providing mileage markers for regional railways)
