Odds are you have never heard of ultimate green lumber, unless you are in the construction industry. Decks and deck furniture are common uses of this product, which any environmentally aware man or women will endorse wholeheartedly. Eco-lumber and plastic lumber are two other names for the product, but there are several others, including permo-wood, enviro-wood, and poly-wood. This revolutionary material that has transformed the patio furniture industry is both economically viable as well as friendly to the environment.
The final product appears like a piece of lumber, but the impressive thing is that there is no wood in it, just milk jugs and other recycled plastic containers. The similarity to wood goes further, in that this green product can be cut, sawed and drilled in a similar fashion – it even has the same texture. This eco-friendly product has found many applications on top of decking, such as patio furniture, outdoor tables and benches and playground equipment. This green product is a superb way to use the ever-growing amount of plastics that are being recycled. Just ten years ago, 234 million pounds of plastic bottles were recycled, and that number has now increased to 1.5 billion pounds.
Hardwood lumber does have a few disadvantages, such as the chemical treatment it needs to protect it against insects. Over time, the wood will begin to decompose when left out in the weather, and it will need some form of refinishing, and sanding. Plastic lumber does not contain any deadly chemicals and will thus not pollute the soil. Washing it down with a hose occasionally is the only upkeep that’s needed. It doesn’t matter where you are, the poly-wood has been constructed to withstand tropical sun, cold winters, and coastal weather that is salty and windy.
You often see moulded plastic things, like chairs on decks, which should not be mistaken for the ultimate green lumber. Poly-lumber is sold as a 2 by 4 or 2 by 6, and is a dense and thus heavy material. Poly-lumber is used just like normal hardwood; cut in the same way and screwed down in the same way. Initial uses of the ultimate green lumber were for deck and poolside applications, but new applications are constantly showing themselves. Lumber made out of recycled plastic materials is an alternative to regular hardwood lumber that is inexpensive. Plastic lumber does not decompose, it does not splinter, bugs and other insects don’t like it and it can be used in numerous ways.
If you buy furniture made out of recycled materials, you are helping bring down the need for killing trees. Anybody who thinks or lives green is concerned about protecting our forests and trees from being abused. As a result, the search is on for applications where the use of the ultimate green lumber makes good economic sense and environmental sense as well. The ultimate green lumber doesn’t need any upkeep and benefits the environment.
For more information on alternative energy go to MWPS!


