For eco-conscious homeowners, composite fencing offers a sustainable alternative to traditional wood privacy fences. Composite fencing is made from recycled plastics and recycled wood fibres, providing durability and low maintenance without depleting our precious forests.
We explore the key environmental advantages of choosing composite over wood fencing.
Preserving Trees by Recycling Plastics
Ecoscape composite fencing contains recycled plastic, which helps reduce landfill waste. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene are commonly used plastics in composite fencing, which are plastics sourced from items like milk jugs, grocery bags, bottles, and other post-consumer waste. Utilising recycled plastics to construct fencing diverts billions of plastic containers from landfills every year.
Reclaimed Wood Fibres
In addition to plastics, composite fencing incorporates reclaimed wood fibres, such as reprocessed sawdust and wood shavings. This reclaimed organic material helps to give composite fencing its realistic wood texture and appearance.
By recombining recycled wood and plastics, composite fencing helps protect living trees from being harvested for new fencing projects.
Lower Carbon Footprint
The production of composite fencing emits fewer greenhouse gases than concrete, vinyl, or wood fencing. Manufacturing wood fencing from scratch involves cutting down trees, transporting logs, sawing lumber, and chemically treating the wood, generating significant carbon emissions.
On the other hand, producing composite fencing requires less energy overall, since it recycles previously used plastics and wood scraps. The reuse of materials means fewer trees logged, less trucking for virgin lumber, and lower emissions. Ultimately, composite fencing has a smaller carbon footprint, which benefits the planet.
No Ongoing Maintenance with Chemicals
Composite fencing also has sustainability advantages after installation. Unlike wood fences, composite fencing never requires painting, staining, or sealing to protect and preserve it. These maintenance processes allow chemicals like solvents, VOCs, and heavy-metal pigments to leach into surrounding soil over time.
By eliminating the need for these toxic treatments, composite fencing prevents pollution and creates a healthier backyard environment. Your garden beds, lawn, and potable water remain free of preservative chemicals that wooden fences dispense during their maintenance.
Resists Damage without Replacements
Thanks to its durable recycled plastic content, composite wood fencing withstands years of weathering with minimal repair or replacement. It will not rot or splinter like traditional wood, and the rich synthetic colours permeate the fencing’s core, removing the need for frequent re-staining. Without ongoing chemical treatments, you avoid continually exposing the environment to more preservative toxins.
Composite wood’s longevity also reduces waste over time by limiting the production and disposal of replacement fencing materials. A longer-lasting fencing product means old worn out sections are less likely to end up in the landfill after just a few years.
Responsible End-of-Life Recycling
When a composite fence does finally reach the end of its lifespan, the material can be recycled responsibly. Rather than sending old composite fencing to a landfill, it can be collected, shredded, and remodelled into new recycled composite products.
Wood, on the other hand, can only break down naturally over time once discarded, slowly releasing any chemical treatments that were applied during its lifespan. Proper recycling programs allow composite fences to be reused efficiently rather than pile up in landfills.
Ecoscape: Eco-Friendly Composite Fencing Supplier
Composite fencing offers a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood fencing. By utilising recycled plastics and reclaimed wood fibres, composite fencing helps reduce waste, carbon emissions, and deforestation.
As an environmentally responsible fencing company, Ecoscape UK offers homeowners composite wood fencing made from sustainable materials. Our wood-alternative fencing provides the look of natural timber without sacrificing forests or using toxic treatments.
Contact us today to learn more about our eco-friendly fencing solutions.
