Plastic has some thing of a bad reputation. It’s synonymous with fake and/or harmful. It’s not natural, like a noble wood or sturdy steel. And, therefore, not biodegradable.
Sure, every once in a while, it will feature in some art exhibit – say, where plastic bottles are transformed into a sculpture or installation.
But to my mind at least, this has not redeemed plastic as something useful.
Until, yesterday, when I visited a new start up by a friend, where plastic is employed to do remarkable things.
Apparently, an entire house can be made of plastic — a house, that appears to look like wood. Even a bridge, for cows to cross on. This “plastic lumber”, as it’s called, is dense, textured and made of both flexible and sturdy plastic material that’s been discarded by people or rejected by industries.
I was given a tour of the plant by my friend, and watched the entire astonishing process, from raw material, to finished product: fences or benches.
Here are some pictures of this I-cannot-believe-it’s-plastic product (which, it turns out, is naturally almost black) but pigment can be put in the mix to alter it or it can be painted afterwards, as well as being enforced with steel (which it works well with).
And, because it’s not natural, it’s not susceptible to the wear abd tear of elements, say, the way wood is 🪵 and will not perish because of rain or burn, easily.
Behold and marvel:
My wife and I are, already, placing orders for some outdoor furniture — including, possibly, kitchen cabinets. Basically, anything you can produce in other materials, you might render in this versatile plastic… like a patio or jacuzzi or children’s jungle gym —you name it, sky’s the limit!
What’s even more impressive is that there are only around 5 people at the plant, working on this alchemical wizardry & fulfilling hundreds of orders.
And, to think this all started with humble plastic bottles and discarded candy wrappers!
Wishing our good friends every success with their ambitious, creative and environmentally-responsible adventure 👏🏽