Long-term durability and ease of maintenance are useful attributes for landscaping materials. Gardeners want to leave a lighter footprint on the environment—whether in the form of professional landscaping firms or amateur green thumbs. They often select plastics for geotextile (weed-prevention fabric) and landscaping needs. Plastic solutions come in the form of backyard composters, weed barriers, piping, edging, decorative products, decking and rails, trellises, tables and chairs that will not warp, crack, splinter or peel. In fact plastic lumber is about the only material that can claim it actually grows stronger over time!
The use of recycled plastic lumber is an attractive option not only because of the inherent benefits of recycling, but also because of the savings offered in the labor and expense of replacing rotted, warped or splintered wood. Additionally, stain is not needed (because the color can be molded in) and sealants are not necessary (because plastic is inherently water- and pest-resistant).
Another solution for use in the environment is expanded polystyrene (EPS) and the variety of products now available—such as geofoam. Used as lightweight fill, thermal insulation, compressible inclusion, or drainage, geofoam provides noise and small-amplitude vibration damping, as well as structural and soil stabilization. Plastic geofoams have a density that is only one to two percent the density of soil, yet can be designed to be sufficiently strong and stiff enough to support road, rail, and aircraft loading.