Why Choose a Recycled Plastic Bench?

Ask anyone to describe a bench and, chances are, they’ll picture that much-recognised classic: a slatted seat made from a solid, durable hardwood such as oak, teak or cedar.

But this is now the 21st century, and it’s fair to say there’s been plenty of innovation and progress since traditional timber designs became synonymous with benches.

While natural timber will always have its charm, it’s no longer the only option available. Modern engineering has opened the door to more innovative, sustainable and long-lasting alternatives.

Take a walk through any town or city centre today and you’ll no doubt see the change for yourself. Alongside traditional wooden seating, you’ll spot benches made from concrete, metal, and increasingly, recycled plastic.

But what’s behind the rise in popularity of recycled plastic?

In this article, we’ll explore why more and more people, from homeowners to local councils, schools and park authorities, are choosing recycled plastic as a smarter, more durable and environmentally conscious alternative to timber for their outdoor bench needs.

Below is an example of just some of the incredible benefits you will experience when opting for recycled plastic benches. If you would like to discover more about the benefits of recycled plastic compared to wooden furniture, why not take a look at this detailed piece on 'Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture vs Wood', here?

One of the biggest advantages of recycled plastic is just how low-maintenance it is. While traditional wooden benches often need regular oiling, painting or staining to stay protected from the elements, recycled plastic couldn’t be more different. Aside from the occasional clean with a damp cloth — or a quick blast from a pressure washer when needed — there’s virtually no upkeep required. Once it’s in place, you can sit back, relax, and forget about maintenance altogether. Great or what!?

Timber benches are often praised as an eco-friendly choice, and compared with materials such as virgin plastic or steel, they often are. But the reality is that meeting global demand for timber means millions of trees are felled every year. While replanting helps replace what’s lost, it takes decades for new trees to mature and absorb carbon at the same rate as those they replace.

Recycled plastic offers a smarter, more sustainable alternative. Each of our benches is made entirely from UK-sourced plastic waste, including drinks bottles, crisp packets and other soft plastics that can’t be recycled at home. Instead of being sent to a dump or incinerator, this waste is transformed into long-lasting, practical outdoor furniture. By choosing recycled plastic furniture, customers have helped prevent over 3.5 million kilograms of carbon from entering landfill sites and saved more than 12,000 trees from being felled.

If you want to learn more about how recycled plastic furniture is made, including not only benches but our range of picnic tables, planters and garden furniture, you can take a look at our helpful 'How Our Recycled Plastic Is Made' blog, here.

While lifespan can vary depending on climate, location and usage, a well-maintained wooden bench typically lasts between 8 and 12 years — often less in busy public areas where wear and tear is greater.

Recycled plastic benches, however, are built for the long haul. Engineered to withstand decades of outdoor exposure without rotting, warping or fading, even in public spaces, they offer outstanding longevity without the need for regular upkeep. Our recycled plastic furniture has a life expectancy of up to 120 years, making it a smart, weather-resistant, sustainable investment for the long term.

Whether it’s in a local park, town centre or scenic beauty spot, most of us have come across the tell-tale signs of a wooden bench that’s seen better days. Warped boards, cracks and rot are all common after years of exposure to the weather and heavy public use.

Recycled plastic benches, on the other hand, offer far greater resilience and weather resistance. The material is completely rot-proof and resistant to fungi, moisture and UV damage, meaning no risk of splintering, splitting or weakening over time. It is also vandal-resistant, which is an important feature if you are considering installing your bench in a remote location or somewhere open to the public, where there is increased potential for damage and misuse.

When it comes to domestic installations, such as a private garden, homeowners will undoubtedly benefit from the minimal maintenance required for a recycled plastic bench. Particularly in the UK, where the weather can be so unpredictable, it can be a constant challenge to keep on top of your furniture’s aftercare regime. As we’ve already touched on, though, with recycled plastic, this is one headache and commitment you can happily ignore.

While the upfront cost of recycled plastic is likely to be higher than traditional materials like timber, its expected lifespan of over 100 years makes it more than value for money in the long run — a genuinely cost-effective choice that’s built to last.

If you’re looking for a bench that offers a comfortable and practical seating solution in local or national parks, coastal areas, forests, moorlands or wetlands, recycled plastic is the smart choice.

Designed to handle the harshest weather conditions and temperature fluctuations, these benches can thrive even in some of the most remote locations across the UK. That’s why they’re a popular option for local authorities and organisations such as the National Trust, which care for large open spaces where durability and reliability are essential.

These exposed environments, often far off the beaten track, are where traditional materials like timber begin to struggle. As you can imagine, keeping up with maintenance in areas like this can be difficult, making recycled plastic the ideal low-maintenance alternative that doesn’t compromise on strength or durability.

From primary schools to colleges and universities, providing comfortable seating is a vital feature in any school playground, campus or outdoor space. Not only does it give students an opportunity to socialise with classmates or study outdoors, away from the classroom, but benches can also be used indoors, such as in reception areas, school changing rooms or assembly halls.

While wooden benches have long been the default choice for many schools, recycled plastic products are now providing school trusts with a cost-effective and long-lasting solution. With school budgets under such intense pressure, the initial outlay may seem prohibitive for school administrators. But, as discussed, when you factor in that our benches made from recycled plastic can last for as long as 120 years, it suddenly becomes a very wise investment—no more costly routine replacements.

On top of that, their durability, vandal resistance and low-maintenance design mean caretaker staff won’t need to be constantly repairing or replacing damaged seating. Outdoors, they’ll handle every type of weather with ease, and thanks to their quick-drying surface, the benches can be used again soon after rainfall, unlike traditional materials like wood.

So, why choose recycled plastic benches?

Ultimately, it depends on what you want from your outdoor benches. If you’re after that much-loved, timeless look that comes with natural wood, there's no denying that a traditional timber bench will always have its appeal.

But if you’re looking for something that’s built to handle whatever the British weather throws at it, needs next to no maintenance, and will still look great decades down the line, recycled plastic is hard to beat. It’s sustainable, incredibly tough, and helps reduce plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.

From private gardens to public parks and school playgrounds, recycled plastic benches are proving that you really can enjoy durability, comfort and sustainability all in one.

So why not join the growing number of people choosing recycled plastic benches for their outdoor spaces? Durable, sustainable and maintenance-free, they’re a smarter choice for today, and for the generations that follow.