Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about recycled plastic? You’re in the right place.
We’ve answered some of the things we’re asked most often below — from cutting and drilling recycled plastic to deliveries, samples and whether it really does last as long as we say it does.
And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just give us a call. We’re a friendly bunch and always happy to help.
About Recycled Plastic
Initially, it can be. But the important bit is what happens afterwards.
Unlike timber, recycled plastic doesn’t rot, split or splinter and needs very little maintenance. There’s no regular painting, staining or treating to worry about either.
So although the upfront cost may sometimes be higher, recycled plastic can prove considerably more cost-effective over its lifetime.
We believe turning existing waste plastic into useful, long-lasting products makes a great deal of sense.
Our products help keep waste plastic in circulation rather than sending it to landfill, while also reducing the demand for virgin plastic and traditional materials that may need replacing much more frequently.
Most of the recycled plastic products we supply are sourced within the UK, with a smaller amount coming from Germany.
Yes. Our recycled plastic products are recyclable at the end of their useful life.
And considering how long they last, hopefully that won’t be for quite some time!
Unfortunately not.
The manufacturers we work with have strict requirements governing the types and grades of plastic that can be used in their production processes, so we cannot accept waste plastic directly from members of the public.
Your local authority recycling service is normally the best place for unwanted household plastic.
Some coloured recycled plastic products may change or soften slightly in colour during their first few months outdoors.
UV-resistant additives help protect the material against significant colour change after this initial weathering period.
UV radiation mainly affects the very surface of the material rather than penetrating deeply into a solid recycled plastic profile.
Our products are designed for outdoor use and contain UV protection to help minimise degradation.
Good-quality solid recycled plastic is extremely tough and is designed for long-term outdoor use.
The combination of durable plastics such as HDPE, the manufacturing process and UV stabilisers helps the material retain its properties over many years.
UV-resistant additives help protect the material against significant colour change after this initial weathering period.
A very long time! Our recycled plastic comes with a 20 year warranty!
One of the main attractions of solid recycled plastic is its exceptional resistance to rot, moisture and insect attack.
Unlike timber, there isn’t a point at which the material simply rots away because it has been sitting outside.
Its actual service life will depend on the product, application, installation and loading, but recycled plastic is particularly well suited to projects where longevity and low maintenance are priorities.
Yes. Recycled plastic is highly resistant to water and doesn’t absorb moisture in the same way as timber.
That makes it particularly useful in damp environments and coastal locations, including places exposed to salt water.
No — and that’s one of the reasons we like it so much.
It won’t rot in wet ground and doesn’t splinter like timber, making it particularly useful for fencing, decking, outdoor furniture, landscaping and construction projects.
Yes. Recycled plastic is combustible.
Like many materials, it can burn if exposed to sufficient heat or a sustained flame, so it should not be treated as a fireproof material.
It can do.
Recycled plastic is made from waste material rather than pristine virgin plastic, and that is part of its character.
You may occasionally see small colour variations, marks or pieces of material that have not completely melted during manufacture. Dimensions can also vary slightly.
These cosmetic variations are a normal result of using recycled feedstock and do not necessarily affect the strength or usefulness of the product.
Cutting, Drilling & Working With Recycled Plastic
Generally, yes.
Most of the tools you’d normally use for woodworking can also be used with recycled plastic.
The golden rule is keep your tools sharp and avoid generating too much heat.
A handsaw, circular saw or chop saw can normally be used.
For powered saws, a sharp tungsten-carbide-tipped blade suitable for timber works well.
A medium-tooth blade and a controlled cutting speed usually give the cleanest results.
Friction creates heat.
If the blade is blunt or you cut too quickly, the surface of the plastic can soften and begin to melt around the blade.
Sharp tools, sensible cutting speeds and regularly clearing the swarf will help enormously.
Yes.
We recommend pre-drilling fixing holes before inserting screws.
HSS, wood or suitable coated drill bits can be used, and a slower drilling speed helps prevent heat build-up.
Yes, definitely.
Pre-drilling makes installation easier and helps reduce unnecessary stress in the material.
Try to keep fixing holes a sensible distance from the edge of the profile too.
For outdoor applications, good-quality corrosion-resistant fixings are recommended.
Depending on the job, stainless steel, brass or galvanised fixings may be suitable.
And don’t overtighten them — recycled plastic needs a little room to move as temperatures change.
Yes.
Plastic expands when it gets warm and contracts again as it cools.
It’s perfectly normal, but it needs to be allowed for when designing and installing longer lengths.
For example, where long fence rails meet, an expansion gap should be left rather than butting the pieces tightly together.
The exact allowance depends on the product, its length and the temperature when it is being installed.
As a general principle, colder installation temperatures require a larger allowance because the plastic will expand more when the weather warms up.
For some fencing applications, a gap of around 10mm between adjoining rails is recommended.
If you’re unsure about your particular project, ask us before you start cutting.
On longer sections, yes.
Oversized or elongated fixing holes can allow the plastic to move as temperatures change.
Bolts should also be fitted with suitable heads or washers and shouldn't be overtightened to the point where the material cannot move.
It can be, but we generally recommend avoiding significant planing of structural profiles.
The outside of a recycled plastic profile can contribute to its stiffness, and removing material unevenly may encourage the section to bow or twist.
Yes.
Sharp tungsten-carbide tools work best. As with cutting and drilling, the important thing is controlling heat and removing swarf as you work.
We generally advise against ripping long recycled plastic profiles lengthways where strength and straightness are important.
The outer section of the profile contributes to its structural stability. Removing one side can release internal stresses and cause the remaining section to bend.
Cutting across the width of a profile is normally straightforward.
It can — but HDPE is famously difficult to bond.
Most everyday superglues, construction adhesives, epoxies and polyurethane adhesives don't bond particularly well to HDPE.
For structural bonding, specialist adhesives designed for low-surface-energy plastics are needed. Products such as 3M Scotch-Weld DP8005 or DP8010 Blue are designed specifically for this type of application.
Surface preparation is important too: clean the surfaces, lightly abrade them and follow the adhesive manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Yes, but it's not quite as simple as painting timber.
HDPE has a very low-surface-energy surface, so ordinary paint doesn't adhere particularly well.
A specialist adhesion promoter followed by a suitable topcoat will give much better results.
Where possible, we recommend choosing recycled plastic manufactured in the colour you actually want. It will generally be far more durable than a painted finish.
Treat it as you would any other workshop material.
When cutting or drilling, appropriate PPE may include:
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Safety footwear
- Hearing protection
And please collect the swarf and offcuts when you've finished. We want recycled plastic in useful products, not scattered around the environment.
Storage & Installation
Long lengths should be stored flat, supported and preferably indoors or undercover.
Avoid leaving unsupported profiles in strong direct sunlight or close to heat sources for extended periods.
Where material has been tightly strapped for transportation, keeping it supported and banded until shortly before installation can help it stay straight.
Where possible, yes.
If the material has been stored somewhere particularly hot or cold, moving it into the working area before machining allows it to adjust to the local temperature.
A useful starting point is approximately:
One-third below ground and two-thirds above ground.
The actual requirement will depend on the fence height, loading, ground conditions and how exposed the site is.
For heavier structures or exposed locations, concreting the posts into the ground may be advisable.
They can be used on suitable products, but recycled plastic has a very tough outer surface.
Pilot holes should be drilled first rather than simply hammering staples straight into the material.
Where practical, screw fixings can be an easier and safer option.
Decking
Any outdoor surface can become slippery when wet, particularly if leaves, algae, dirt or other debris are allowed to build up.
Keeping the decking clean and free from debris will help maintain good grip.
It's tough, but it isn't indestructible.
Dragging heavy furniture or sharp objects across the surface can cause marks, just as it can with many other materials.
Minor surface marks may sometimes be reduced carefully using heat, although this should always be tested cautiously first.
Samples
Of course.
If you'd like to see a particular recycled plastic board, profile or colour before ordering, get in touch and we'll see what samples are available.
Sometimes you just need to actually pick the stuff up and see it for yourself!
Delivery
Delivery depends on what you’re ordering, how much it weighs, how long it is and where it needs to go.
We use a range of parcel, pallet and specialist transport companies and try to find the most sensible delivery option for each order.
Send us your postcode and what you need and we'll happily provide a delivery quote.
That depends on the product.
Smaller products may arrive fully assembled, while larger furniture and bigger orders may be delivered partly assembled or flat-packed on a pallet.
Where assembly is required, instructions are provided and most products are designed to be straightforward to put together with basic tools.
We deliver throughout mainland Great Britain, with delivery charges depending on the size of your order and its destination.
Deliveries to more remote parts of Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands, may cost more, so please contact us for a quote.
Unfortunately not.
Collection & Visiting Us
Yes.
Collection can be a very good way to save on delivery, particularly with longer or heavier products.
Please contact us before travelling so we can confirm that your order is ready and everything is in stock.
Yes.
We'd recommend giving us a quick call before making a special journey, particularly if you want to look at a particular product.
Bespoke Products & Projects
Absolutely.
We can't act as structural engineers or designers for every project, but we're always happy to talk through what you're trying to build and help you work out which of our products might be suitable.
Give us a call, send us a sketch or email a few photographs. Quite often that's the easiest place to start.
Yes, depending on the project.
We've supplied and produced all sorts of things using recycled plastic, including planters, tables, storage products, furniture and other one-off items.
If you have something unusual in mind, send it over.
We like unusual.
Payments & Accounts
Bank transfer is our preferred payment method because it helps us keep our costs — and therefore our prices — as low as possible.
Our bank details are shown on your invoice.
Card payment may also be available on request. Please mention this when speaking to our sales team.
Unfortunately we don't accept payments by cash or cheque.
Potentially, yes.
Company accounts may be available following an initial order and are subject to status.
We can also provide account facilities for suitable publicly funded organisations and larger charities, including schools and councils.
Contact us and we'll talk you through it.
We try to keep our everyday prices competitive rather than artificially inflating them so we can advertise permanent “discounts”.
However, if you're ordering a significant quantity of material, please talk to us. Depending on the product and quantity, we may be able to offer project pricing.
Warranty & Returns
Many of our recycled plastic products carry a 20 year manufacturer's guarantee.
The exact guarantee depends on the particular product, so please check the individual product page or contact us if you'd like confirmation before ordering.
Please contact us as soon as possible and send photographs showing the damage.
We'll look into what has happened and work with you to get it sorted.
Returns are subject to our full Returns Policy.
If you've simply changed your mind, please contact us before returning anything so we can confirm whether the item is eligible for return and explain the process.
Bespoke, cut-to-size or specially manufactured products may be treated differently from standard stock items, so please check with us before placing your order if you have any concerns.
One of the nice things about recycled plastic furniture is that individual components can often be replaced rather than throwing away the whole item.
If something has suffered unusually severe damage, send us a photograph and we'll see whether a replacement part is available.
Still Have a Question?
Don't worry — recycled plastic is still unfamiliar to lots of people, and there's no such thing as a silly question.
Whether you're building one garden planter or planning a much larger commercial project, get in touch with our team.
We'll do our best to point you in the right direction.