Whole Life Costings and Benefits of Recyled Plastic Products.

Save money

Many factors influence the decision to specify a particular product including performance, reliability and the purchase price. In addition the life costs of maintenance, installation and replacement will contribute towards a product's 'value for money' rating. Recycled plastic products score highly in all of these categories. They are also widely available and price competitive. When you consider the 'whole life costs' of products made from recycled plastic, the benefits become obvious. Case studies show that over the long-term, due to their durability and longevity, recycled plastic products are a smart, cost-effective investment. For example, plastic fencing does not require treating or painting, hence saving on project costs in the building stage. In addition, recycled plastic products do not rot and require minimal maintenance.

Improve performance

Recycled plastic produces strong and versatile products suitable for a wide range of construction applications. One of the main advantages of plastic is its high strength to weight ratio. Plastic products are generally light and so can help alleviate manual handling issues and ease compliance with Health and Safety regulations. A good example of this is recycled plastic kerbstones. These products are available in a full range of kerb components, all of which are lightweight, which means that the parts can be placed manually rather than requiring mechanical handling. At the same time these products retain the necessary impact, strength and corrosion resistance to meet the required BSEN1433 standard.

Win new work

Increasingly, organisations are finding that having a reputation for good practice in sustainable procurement improves their chances of winning new work. This is particularly relevant for public sector contracts, or when in pursuit of local authority planning permission, where evidence of a track record of sustainable policies is becoming a key requirement for any successful bid. In addition, professional bodies are lending their support and recognition to recycled products, with many viewing the use of recycled products as key in delivering a sustainable construction project.

Protect the environment

Recycled plastic products offer sustainability benefits and they often require minimal upkeep and repair. What's more, recycled plastic products can be fully recycled again at the end of their lifespan. Recycled plastic materials are totally inert and will not leach chemicals into water or soil, even in wet environments. The purchase of recycled plastic products stimulates demand for materials which are collected for recycling, diverting material from landfill.