With so many options in the market, the hardest part of choosing recycled plastic outdoor furniture is knowing which one is the best. Outdoor furniture is available in cast iron, wood, aluminium, and recycled plastic.
There’s a good reason why recycled plastic quickly replaces wood and metal outdoor furniture varieties: people want to make eco-friendly choices, and people want something affordable, durable, easy to maintain, and aesthetically pleasing.
We’ll make things easier if you’ve been thinking of furnishing your patio with this type of furniture. This guide compiles a list of the seven best recycled plastic outdoor furniture manufacturers to help you make informed decisions.
Here you’ll learn about each manufacturer, the styles available in their collections, and where to buy them.
Table of Contents
Why Use Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture
Recycled plastic, otherwise known as HDPE lumber, is the most popular, with most people slowly switching from the traditional wood patio furniture that has been a favorite for many years.
Many reasons explain this new shift from metallic and wooden furniture, which has defined the patio furniture industry for many years.
In recent years, recycled plastic outdoor furniture has maintained the following benefits:
Sustainability: Purchasing recycled plastic chairs significantly impacts the planet. Since this type of outdoor furniture is made of recycled plastic, the result is reduced plastic waste which is good for the environment. And the less wood furniture you buy, the more trees will be saved, reducing the overall carbon footprint.
Maintenance: Recycled HDPE furniture doesn’t require tedious and costly maintenance routines like wood and metal. You won’t have to budget for refinishing or repainting like you would with teak furniture. Most recycled plastic outdoor furniture is UV-treated, meaning they’re not susceptible to corrosion or color fading. You only need to determine the ideal setup for your patio, and you’re good to go.
Cost: Cost is critical when choosing the best-recycled plastic outdoor furniture manufacturer. Since recycled furniture is made from recycled plastic waste, this outdoor patio furniture is relatively affordable, with most brands maintaining almost the same price ranges.
Plastic furniture also isn’t as heavy to manufacture as wood, aluminum, or cast iron which are often cumbersome. This is advantageous if you order online and need them shipped to you. And in case of breakage, which can only happen after several years, it doesn’t take a significant amount to upgrade.
Lifespan: Polywood, the common name for recycled plastic, lasts a lifetime. After that, you can only replace them if you decide you want something different. In all the time you get to use your recycled plastic outdoor furniture, you’ll never have to worry about creaking, rotting, rusting, or any of the common elements of wear and tear found in most patio furniture.
All Polywood outdoor furniture is pretreated against UV, so they get to withstand the hot and cold seasons while retaining the original color for a long time. The worst chore you’ll have to contend with is wiping off excess water after snow or rain.
Reliability: Polywood outdoor patio furniture is a great choice for large families, including kids and pets. Most plastic furniture is sturdy endurable tin ha. It can withstand a lot of traffic, weight, and almost anything mother nature throws at it.
Care and cleaning: Cleaning your recycled plastic patio furniture should be the least of your worries regarding maintenance. Polywood is one of the easiest materials to clean, and you only need soap and warm water for the job, whether you are dealing with mold or mildew removal. To clean, get cracks and crevices, use a soft-bristled brush and for general cleaning, use a washcloth and get the job done in no time.
7 Best Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture Manufacturers
And now onto our best picks for recycled plastic outdoor furniture. Here are the seven best-recycled plastic outdoor furniture manufacturers we believe tick all the right boxes as far as the quality and affordability of patio furniture are concerned.
1. Breezesta
Breezesta was founded in 1999 to design high-quality and affordable outdoor furniture made of recycled materials to reduce the number of plastic waste going to the landfills and the overall carbon footprint.
Today Breezesta is an industry leader in sustainable and good quality Polywood patio furniture.
Breezesta offers a Lifetime Residential Warranty on all of their products, proof of their craftsmanship, and commitment to quality and innovation.
The best plastic outdoor furniture manufacturers use a Sur-Lok joint construction that enhances the sturdiness of their furniture.
They also use HDPE lumber with several unique qualities. For example, their lumber is heavier and more wind resistant than other notable competitors.
They also texture the surfaces of their lumber to create a wood-like texture and conceal minor scratches.
Breezesta color choice themes remain unmatched. In addition, they apply dense color pigmentation that saturates the lumber to prevent discoloration in case of scratches.
In addition, Breezesta uses Sungard Technology with ultraviolet inhibitors to mitigate premature discoloration.
They then apply a final touch, colour-matched hardware that blends in with the lumber. Besides their innovative product development processes,
Breezesta offers an impressive variety of products and styles, including chairs like Adirondack, tables, benches, bar sets, swings, rockers, and special collections of cushions and fabrics. Breezesta’s notable collection includes:
- Classic Adirondack chair
- Avanti chairs
- Coastal counter chairs
- High conversation tables
- Adjustable lounge chairs
You can buy Breezesta outdoor furniture on their official website or through their approved dealers countrywide
2. Berlin Gardens
In 1988, a young innovator, Sam Yoder, created the prototype for Pergolas, gazebos, and pavilions with a vision of helping people enjoy comfortable outdoor living.
Starting with popular materials like wood and cast iron, the company soon ventured into large-scale patio furniture development, adopting eco-friendly innovative practices and materials such as the highest grade of HDPE lumber to create long-lasting outdoor furniture.
Berlin Garden is now a proud manufacturer of the best quality recycled plastic outdoor furniture available in different styles and collections.
They offer a wide selection of picnic tables, buffet tables, chaise lounges, patio bars, cushions, and umbrellas.
They have since advanced their backyard structures into stylish pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos, some of which are customized on request.
To ensure product longevity, they provide their cleaning products, which can be purchased with the furniture to ensure you maintain the quality even during cleaning and maintenance.
You can purchase Berlin from their wholesale showroom in Millersburg, Ohio, or Amazon and Wayfair.
3. DUROGreen
DUROGreen has maintained its commitment to being the go-to eco-friendly Polywood patio furniture brand since its inception in 2016.
The company specializes in high-grade HDPE lumber certified by the Fair Trade Commission and the Green Circle Certified, ensuring it meets all “Green Guidelines.”
Part of the Green Guidelines requires that the materials used in the production of Polywood furniture are 95%+ recycled plastic.
This is one key area where DUROGreen outshines most of its competitors as far as environmental conversation goes.
DUROGreen works with some of the most innovative and experienced furniture designers whose artistry is nothing short of sustainability and durability.
Most of their hardware is also made of marine-grade stainless steel, and each design is meticulously fashioned to meet the highest standards of comfort, functionality, and aesthetics.
DUROGreen’s manufacturing processes and materials are 100% homegrown, meaning everything is done in the USA, be it lumber, hardware, assembly, logo tags, assembly, and packaging.
Although the brand’s selection only comprises outdoor tables and chairs, they also stock an impressive variety of outdoor products. These include:
- Adirondacks chair
- Rocking chairs
- Lounge chairs
- Dining sets and tables.
These collections are available in different colors, and if you want something more stylish, a special list of collections is available on demand.
4. Highwood
Pennsylvania-based company Highwood Inc. is a leader in the outdoor furniture industry.
The company is one of the largest recycled plastic outdoor furniture manufacturers globally, with four separate labels providing the best HDPE products that make outdoor living fashionable and luxurious.
Highwood is the company’s most established brand, followed by Elk Outdoors, Sequoia Professional, and Everwood DIY.
Highwood employs a unique, innovative approach in their product development processes: they use high HDPE lumber that resembles wood.
This explains their logo: “Nature’s closest rival!” So if you find yourself a little sentimental when choosing between recycled plastic and wood, this can be a better option given its natural wood look.
Highwood also provides unique accessories such as HDPE lumber mailbox posts, uncut HDPE lumber for DIY homeowners, and lamppost designed from marine-grade recycled plastic.
5. POLYWOOD
Polywood was founded in 1990 and was the first company to produce outdoor furniture from recycled plastic materials called Polywood, which inspired its name.
Today, POLYWOOD ensures more than 400,000 milk jugs don’t find their way into landfills or the ocean. Instead, the company sources its recyclable plastic worldwide and processes them at its plastic recycling plant in Indiana.
This is how Polywood has maintained its commitment to achieving eco-friendly and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Their products are durable and affordable, but they’re impressive and come in different varieties.
The company also offers a 20-year warranty that guarantees its customers’ satisfaction. Their outdoor furniture collection includes:
- Adirondack chair collections
- Dining sets
- Rocking chairs
- Chaise lounge chairs
- benches
- Porch swings
- Tables, and more.
Their unique styles are rustic and elegant, ideal for furnishing a porch, poolside, or small garden nook.
Although POLYWOOD products are a little pricey by being the pioneers of HDPE outdoor furniture, they’re the most reputable and knowledgeable brand.
Find their products on their website, Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, and eBay.
6. Seaside Casual
Seaside Casual rose from a small traditional outdoor patio furniture manufacturer in 1996 to one of the most established innovative Polywood furniture producers.
The company first experimented with various materials, including Envirowood, an HDPE lumber that leverages UV protection pigments to maintain outdoor stability and durability.
Later, Seaside Casual adopted recycled plastic as its primary material for production. The company is located in New England and was encouraged to develop products that can endure the salty seaside air in the region.
Seaside Casual has over 50 product designs to its name, and its collections can be found anywhere across the country.
The family-owned company maintains a coastal aesthetic in its furniture designs: traditionally elegant and comfortable.
The company also provides an impressive catalogue of special outdoor benches, chairs, and tables, with high-quality outdoor cushions and customized Adirondack chairs.
What’s more, Seaside Casual also produces elegant planters made of HDPE to compliment your garden space and furniture.
You can check out Seaside Casual’s products at your local retailers since the company is a nationwide supplier, and most retailers source their products from the company.
When you get to your local patio furniture store, be prepared to experience the first-hand comfort of their ergonomic furniture.
7. Trex Outdoor Furniture
Trex Outdoor Furniture is an affiliate of POLYWOOD furniture company, and most of their outdoor furniture is designed and constructed by POLYWOOD through their trademark HDPE lumber.
However, the only exception is that Trex offers a variety of products and styles in their catalogue.
Trex prices are also on the lower side compared to POLYWOOD, but the quality of their products remains uncompromised.
In addition, Trex offers extra services such as a handy Deck Furniture Planner that considers your proposed budget, preferred style, and size of your outdoor living space.
The professional planner then helps you choose the best outdoor furniture from their extensive catalogue.
In addition, Trex is actively involved in the cause of conserving the environment and has partnered with Trees for the Future, where Trex plants a tree for every piece of furniture they sell.
Trex outdoor furniture can be bought from several retailers across the country. In addition, you can walk into your local patio furniture showroom, and you’ll be sure to find the unique Trex outdoor furniture, including Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, and stylish tables.
Alternatively, check with online retail platforms like Wayfair, Lowe, the Home Depot, or Trex’s official website.
Is Recycled Plastic Furniture Sustainable Outdoors?
Typically, wood products are always the preferred choice when people think of the best outdoor patio furniture.
And why not when cedar, teak, redwood, and eucalyptus are known to make the most durable and weather-resistant outdoor products?
But that doesn’t rule out other factors like longevity, maintenance, and the impact such furniture products have on the environment.
These factors play a key role in the overall viability of a product, and that’s where recycled plastic beats even the best wood, hands down.
Recycled plastic lumber (RPL) made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or Polywood has a wood-like appearance, a heavyweight of real wood, and proven durability.
What’s more, Polywood is versatile, eco-friendly, and sustainable. Of course, sustainability starts with addressing the environmental impact of furniture production.
By promoting afforestation to save the rainforests and keep plastic waste from reaching landfills and water bodies, our pick of the best recycled plastic outdoor furniture manufacturers ensures that recycled plastic patio furniture is sustainable.
Factors to Consider When Buying Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture
When buying new outdoor furniture for your patio, you should first inventory your outdoor space.
Are you looking to transform a tiny outdoor space into a little heaven for you and your family or revamp your outdoor living space to host large parties? The answer to these questions will doubtless give you an idea of what you need.
Once you have an idea of what you want, the next step is to choose the type of patio furniture you want. Again, there’s wrought iron, wood, teak, and our favorite HDPE recycled plastic.
Let all the elements that make the best outdoor furniture: materials, durability, cost, maintenance requirements, and eco-friendliness influence your choice of patio furniture.
Next, think of the shade and sun. Overheating your prized patio furniture is the last thing you want, so a shady or semi-shady outdoor space is better for everyone to have a more comfortable experience.
Finally, how flexible do you want your furniture? Do you sit something you can move and rearrange with ease of something that will be too cumbersome? Well, with Polywood furniture, this should be the least of your worries.
Care Tips For Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture
For general maintenance, we recommend hosing off the surface of your furniture regularly and wiping with a piece of cloth. Otherwise, use vinegar and water solution and a soft bristle brush to remove hard stains from your patio furniture.
Avoid strong products like scouring pads, cleaning powders, ethyl alcohol, abrasive solvents, or steel wool to maintain the same surface color. Always use a table mast or piece of cloth when placing hot items on the furniture surface.
Best Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture Manufacturers: FAQS
Is HDPE good for outdoor furniture?
Yes. High-density polyethene (HDPE) plastic is made from post-consumer milk jugs and detergent bottles that are recycled to produce high-quality outdoor furniture that does not crack, rot, rust, or attract pests, making it ideal for outdoor use.
How long does recycled plastic outdoor furniture last?
All outdoor furniture made of high-quality HDPE lumber is a better investment than wood or metal furniture. These HDPE products are designed to improve and support durability, longevity, and reliability. Your furniture is built for outdoor use and can withstand rain, snow, sun, wind, and pests for a long time.
What is the difference between polywood and polyethylene?
Polywood is the final product or lumber made from different materials, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), foaming compounds, UV-inhibited pigment systems, and permitted additives.
The high-density polyethylene is the main raw material taken from waste materials like milk and water bottles. The recycled polyethylene produces Polywood lumber, a low maintenance material that produces high-quality recycled plastic outdoor furniture and looks like real wood.
Is recycled plastic cheaper than wood?
Recycled plastic furniture is built to last a long time, even more than 50 years without maintenance. Since there are little to no maintenance costs, recycled plastic furniture can be cheaper in the long run, unlike wooden furniture. Also, compared to wood, recycled plastic is not susceptible to cracks, rot, splinter, or insects.
Are Polywood and Trex the same company?
POLYWOOD and Trex are not the same company but affiliates. POLYWOOD is the sole manufacturer and distributor of all Trex Outdoor furniture through a trademark license agreement. In addition, both brands have showrooms located at the same address.
Is Polywood the same as recycled plastic?
Yes, Polywood is the final product of recycled plastic waste. To produce Polywood, water bottles and milk jugs are cleaned by decontamination to remove food residue, paper, adhesives, and similar contaminants. The plastic is then compounded into a rigid board stock material known as Polywood.
Final Thoughts
As technology and innovation continue to revolutionize every aspect of our lives, we can now furnish our favorite outdoor spaces with elegant furniture made of recycled materials and still maintain aesthetics and durability.
Gone are the days when wood was the only material guaranteed to last a long time, and even then, maintaining such furniture was costly and time-consuming.
But recycled plastic gives popular materials a run for their money, a fully reliable and affordable material.
And yet, if you wish to replace your plastic furniture, you can return it to the manufacturer for recycling and support the environmental conservation efforts.
Suppose you’ve been clueless when it comes to buying outdoor furniture and who manufactures them. In that case, hopefully, this guide on the best recycled plastic outdoor furniture manufacturers will inform and spur you into action.
