In our ever-evolving world, it is nice to know that the places where we take our children to play are developing greener strategies and implementing them. Parks are places of joy and fun, and also locations to appreciate beauty. It seems a natural fit to incorporate green strategies and materials into them.

One of the biggest ways that parks and playgrounds especially are going green, is through their use of green materials like recycled plastic lumber, which is used to fabricate things like park benches and picnic tables.

Back in the not so olden days, picnic tables and park benches were commonly made of wood. Wood is an excellent material, but it is difficult to use it in a sustainable way. All over the country, wood is being cut down and processed, but the challenge is to plant enough trees to make up for the loss of the original trees.

There is also a time issue. It takes many years for a tree to grow into maturity. This amount of time has to be factored in when using wood in a sustainable way, and often there is just no way to replace the same amount of wood that has been used.

This is why building materials made out of recycled plastic are a wonderful land green choice to make for parks. Recycled plastic uses a lot of plastic that we throw away. This means that by using it in building, we are actually keeping it out of the landfill, where it would otherwise clog up these spaces.

Another great and green benefit to using recycled plastic in parks is that it does not have to be treated like wood does. You don't have to worry about using harsh and toxic chemicals to coat the parts. That means one or more less chemicals used in the environment, which is a benefit. Also, since children often play on or around benches and picnic tables, they will not be exposed to the potentially poisonous chemicals.

But there are even more benefits to using recycled plastic for building materials in parks. They are very strong and durable. They last for many years and can take a lot of beating and use without crumbling or decaying. They are also a little bit more resistant to graffiti, which is a huge problem in public places and can make an area look unsightly and worn out.

Recycled plastic park benches and picnic tables are attractive, sturdy, and excellent for the environment. There are all kinds of colors to choose from as well, which is nice when you see a splash of color out in a public place. The color stays consistent, and will not peel or become mottled over time.

More and more today, recycled plastic is being used in parks to build structures. It is a positive commentary on the environment, because it shows that green items need not be overly expensive or hard to implement. They are a testament to green in action, and their benefits are far-reaching and positive.