Nobody can deny that buying outdoor furniture can sometimes get very overwhelming, and stressful, as there are countless styles, materials, and types of outdoor furniture to choose from. However, what many people are unaware of is that a lot of this furniture is made out of toxic materials that are not only unsafe for your home, but they’re also unsafe for the environment.
The good news is that companies across the globe are inching more and more towards eco-friendly methods of producing outdoor furniture. With one of the most popular methods being to produce outdoor furniture that is made purely with recycled plastics.
Why Consider Recycled Plastic?
If you’re considering a more eco-friendly approach to your outdoor furniture setup, then try to focus more on furniture that has been crafted from repurposed plastic materials. Not only are these great for the environment, they’re also surprisingly durable and long-lasting. Although, you may be wondering; “what exactly is recycled plastic furniture?”.
Well, the material that makes up recycled plastic patio furniture may be called ‘polylumber’ or ‘polywood’ (these are 2 popular brands), which consist of; High-density polyethylene (HDPE), UV-inhibited pigment systems, foaming compounds, and selected additives. The primary material that makes up HDPE is a raw plastic material that was used by consumers, such as laundry detergent, milk jugs, or shampoo containers (to name a few). In fact, about 90% of HDPE materials come from recycled plastic.
Importance of Recycled
Since this style of furniture is made from recycled plastic, this means that less waste is going to end up in landfills, and since you’re not buying any wood patio furniture, you’ll be saving some trees as well. Greatly reducing your carbon footprint in the process. Plus, with recycled furniture, you won’t have to worry much about maintenance, or general upkeep. Most (if not all) recycled material is UV-treated so that the colors won’t fade from prolonged sun exposure.
Value for Your Money
When you search for outdoor furniture you expect long-lasting pieces that can handle the wear and tear from the outdoor elements. The best thing about recycled plastic furniture is how weatherproof it is, making it last a long time. What is great is that recycled furniture is typically priced quite similarly to regular outdoor furniture, however, other types of outdoor furniture do not last that long.
The money you spend when you buy high-quality recycled plastic furniture goes a lot further than a cheap outdoor furniture set. Instead of buying every year or two, expect things to last decades.
10 Best Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture Picks
1. POLYWOOD Classic Folding Adirondack Chair
Our top-rated piece of outdoor furniture that’s made from recycled plastic is the POLYWOOD Classic Folding Adirondack Chair. This stylish yet durable design is built to withstand all weather conditions from the boiling hot sun, down to those snowy winter days. As previously mentioned, Polywood lumber is a proprietary plastic containing recycled milk jugs, detergent bottles, and other similar recycled products.
This chair is also weatherproof, as well as resistant to cracks, chips, peels, and rotting. Plus, it’s exceptionally easy to store (folds flat), and is remarkably comfortable with over 14 different color options to choose from. Undoubtedly one of the best bargain deals on the market when it comes to quality recycled plastic outdoor furniture.
2. Phat Tommy Pub Table and Chair Set
The Phat Tommy Pub Table and Chair Set is a fascinating furniture set that not only carries a unique style, but is also amazingly convenient, and comfortable. The seat and back are contoured 28” high, with the table standing at 38”, leaving more than enough room for comfort and easy access to food or drinks.
This furniture set also comes in 8 different color formations and is made with environmentally responsible recycled poly material and stainless steel fasteners. Not only that, but it’s also super easy to maintain, and is specifically designed to handle rotting, splitting, and cracking over time. Creating one of the best-recycled plastic outdoor furniture pieces on the market.
3. Trex Outdoor Furniture Yacht Club Stackable Chaise Lounger
Trex Outdoor Furniture Yacht Club Stackable Chaise Lounger is specifically built to withstand a range of climates, including intense rain, snow, or even heat. Since this lounge is constructed with genuine Polywood Lumber, it’s able to mitigate splinters, cracks, chips, peeling, and rotting. Plus, this design comes in 4 different colours, features adjustable lounging positions, and carries a stackable function to allow for quick and easy storage.
As if all this wasn’t enough, it also comes with a 20-year residential warranty and a 3-year commercial warranty. All in all, the Trex Outdoor Furniture Yacht Club Stackable Chaise Lounger is undeniably one of the best, eco-friendly outdoor furniture sets available.
4. Durogreen The Adirondack Chair Set
Another great recycled furniture brand is Durogreen, the Durogreen Adirondack Chair Set features two Adirondack chairs and one square side table. This cozy furniture set is made with durable recycled HDPE plastic lumber and stainless steel hardware, helping to improve the all-weather features, and easy-to-clean design.
The chair also boasts all the classic Adirondack elements, including a slatted back and contoured seating. Plus, this set comes with a matching square side table made convenient for drinks, books, or tablets. Undeniably one of the best value deals on our list, as all three pieces can be reeled in for a more than reasonable price.
5. Highwood Adirondack Coffee Table
The Highwood Adirondack Coffee Table is a gorgeous weatherproof design that’s 100% made in the U.S. and features incredibly durable 304-grade stainless-steel hardware. Plus, as with the rest of the furniture on this list, it’s made from recycled plastic, eco-friendly, proprietary materials.
The coffee table is skillfully crafted to function in a variety of settings, and the Polywood Lumber offers a more realistic look of natural wood without the headache of having to maintain or replace it. Also, this stylish set comes with the assurance of a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty, as well as Highwood’s world-class customer service team.
6. POLYWOOD Lakeside Dining Set
Sliding into our sixth spot on the list we’ve got the Polywood Lakeside Dining Set. This modern yet long-lasting design includes four lakeside dining side chairs, two lakeside dining armchairs, and one lakeside farmhouse dining table. With a full outdoor dining set that’s built to withstand a wide range of climates, the Polywood Lakeside Set presents potentially the most value of any item on this list.
The exterior of each piece features an all-weather finish that helps to mitigate splinters, cracks, chips, peeling and rotting. Plus, this outdoor dining set comes locked and loaded with a 20-year residential warranty, and a 3-year commercial warranty. As if all of this wasn’t enough, this amazing design also features an easy-to-clean finish, and comes available in 5 different colour combinations.
Likewise, depending on certain spatial limitations, or even just personal preference, this same dining set also comes with a round table option, called the POLYWOOD Nautical Dining Set, as opposed to the long dining table above. Due to the slightly altered dimensions of the table, each chair features a nautical high back that can be adjusted to fit three different positions. Much like the option above, it too is able to withstand a range of climates and weather conditions.
7. Leeward MGP Stacking Chaise Lounge
Another quality outdoor furniture piece that is made with recycled plastics is the Leeward GP Stacking Chaise Lounge. It’s vinyl coated polyester sling material dries quickly, and features an adjustable back, making it the perfect way to relax, and get comfortable by the pool, beach, or backyard. The frame itself is made from a highly durable, weather-resistant, marine-grade polymer (MGP) composed fully of recycled materials.
8. Highwood Weatherly Porch Swing
Stealing the show with our 8th spot on the list we’ve got the Highwood Weatherly Porch Swing welcoming in a fresh way to relax in the summer, spring, or even fall. Although bold and modern, the swing does not lack in terms of longevity or comfort. The chair features a free zinc-plated steel chain that is supplied so the swing is ‘ready to hang’ to a sturdy structure.
Plus, the proprietary Highwood high-grade poly lumber used in this product helps to create a more realistic look of natural wood. The frame itself is assembled with 304-grade stainless-steel hardware and comes fully backed with a 12-year residential warranty. Though, durability shouldn’t be the problem here, as the swing char carries a 500-pound weight capacity.
9. POLYWOOD Nautical Arms Chaise
The Polywood Nautical Arms Chaise is another very popular alternative for those in search of a quality piece of recycled plastic outdoor furniture. It’s constructed using Polywood lumber, which is a proprietary plastic containing different consumer products (milk jugs, detergent bottles, etc.).
Not only is it built to withstand a plethora of different weather conditions, but it’s also able to avoid splinters, cracks, chips, peels, and rotting when exposed to the elements. Plus, it illustrates a tremendously convenient design that collapses easily for quick storage and a reclining feature that allows for up to four different seating positions.
10. Highwood Lehigh Garden Bench
To finish off our top ten list, the best-recycled plastic outdoor bench has to be the Highwood Lehigh Garden Bench. Of course, Highwood makes our list for the 3rd time because we know it’s high-quality stuff. Furthermore, you can choose through the 11 color options to make sure it matches perfectly with your backyard decor.
I think the faux wooden design is perfect, it gives the bench an elegant look, especially in black, but that is my personal opinion of course. Highwood furniture can be left out year-round without getting damaged from the harsh weather, now that is easy maintenance.
Recommended Accessories
Recycled Plastic Footrest/Ottoman
This Polywood South Beach Adirondack Ottoman is the perfect way to compliment your new Polywood chair or lounge (specifically the SBA15 South Beach Adirondack). The ottoman is made with fade-resistant Polywood lumber that’s been constructed using entirely recycled plastics. The recycled HDPE lumber helps to create more of a natural wood look, with the need to regularly treat it, or maintain it like you would with real wood.
Thanks to the durable commercial-grade stainless-steel construction, and HDPE material, you can guarantee that this ottoman won’t crack, chip, peel, or rot from persistent use. It’s also resistant to stains, insects, fungi and salt spray, and is even backed by a 20-year warranty.
Another option is to go for the slightly lighter Highwood design. This ottoman features a timeless design that’s been crafted using high-grade poly lumber, and is made for easy storage and transportation. One of the benefits to using poly lumber is that it helps to make the product appear like natural wood, without you needing to maintain it as such. Plus, thanks to the Highwood finish, it’s super simple to remove any dirt or grime that grows over time, and it’s built with a reliable frame constructed of 304-grade stainless-steel hardware.
Recycled Plastic Side Tables
Another necessity for your outdoor setup is to invest in a high-quality side table, and the good news here is that there are tons of side tables that are entirely made from recycled plastics. The Polywood Long Island 18” Side Table is the perfect companion for any outdoor dining or rocking chairs. It’s made with fade-resistant Polywood recycled lumber. Which recreates the genuine wood aesthetic, without the need for additional paint, stains, or waterproofing functionality.
Plus, this ottoman is so reliably constructed that it’s guaranteed not to splinter, crack, chip, peel, or rot, and is resistant to stains, insects, fungi and salt spray. Oh, and even if it does break down, it’s backed by a 20-year warranty.
Another popular alternative is the Highwood Folding Adirondack Side Table, beautifully illustrating a stylish design that is built to last for years to come. With this side table, you can leave it outside all year long and not have to worry about it being damaged from the elements. It’s guaranteed not to peel, crack, or rot, and the frame itself is reinforced with 304-grade stainless steel hardware. Despite this, the Highwood Folding Adirondack Side Table is amazingly easy to assemble and transport.
Premium Outdoor Waterproof Pillows
Another essential part of the process for decorating your outdoor space is ensuring that each piece of furniture is fully equipped with outdoor cushions, and pillows. Since these will be used outside primarily, you’ll want to make sure that it is waterproof, and can withstand the natural elements.
Outdoor Rugs
We do have a top 10 outdoor rug list you can take a look at but if you are in a hurry you can’t go wrong with the Msrugs Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug. It brilliantly combines versatility with functionality, making it the most optimal solution for high traffic areas of the house, like playrooms, kitchens, mud rooms, etc. The style would work well with coastal, farmhouse, casual or contemporary or transitional decor styles, but can truly mesh well with a variety of home decors.
Also, it’s amazingly durable thanks to the 100% polypropylene fibers, and is stain-resistant due to its non-absorptive properties. Each one of the fibers are extruded with colour (not dyed), and UV stabilized, making it ideal for outdoor use as it’s far less likely to suffer damage from sunlight or moisture. Illustrating one of the best outdoor rugs on the market. It also comes in over 25 different colour combinations, with four different size dimensions.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, if you buy outdoor furniture that’s made with high-quality HDPE lumber, there’s a good chance you’re making a better investment than if you were to go with metal or wood. The process of making HDPE allows for more interesting configurations and innovations that help to enhance longevity, whether it’s due to weather resistance, or pest resistance.
It’s widely known that with most of the products listed above, the HDPE qualities make them extremely easy to care for and maintain. Which is another added benefit to wood materials, as you would need to stain the entire unit in order to keep its value, or with certain metals that would need to be repainted or rust-repaired.
This is where HDPE Lumber thrives, as a convenient, durable, and affordable alternative to some of these other, more mainstream outdoor furniture materials.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.