Made To Last: Recycled Plastic Memorial Benches

When looking for a meaningful way to remember a loved one that has passed on, recycled plastic memorial benches are an ideal means to do so. These benches can be installed in both public and private spaces, providing friends and families with a space to sit back and reflect, and reminisce about their lives.

When choosing a fitting tribute, practical considerations such as longevity are incredibly important. The advantages of choosing recycled plastic memorial benches over other outdoor furniture materials is that you know it will last for the long-term. Its low maintenance qualities also allow you to create a well kept, tidy space for you to honour the person you have lost. In this article, we will outline the practical benefits to choosing recycled plastic memorial benches in more detail, and explain why they are the perfect option to help preserve the memory of a loved one. Let’s take a look.

When remembering loved ones, there are plenty of ways to commemorate their lives, ranging from traditional headstones to memorial gardens. However, a memorial bench can be installed anywhere with the appropriate permission, meaning you can choose somewhere that was meaningful to the departed to place the tribute. You will likely see an abundance of memorial benches in public parks and walkways looking out towards areas of natural beauty. While memorial benches can be made from timber and metal, there are clear disadvantages for both. Timber, though attractive initially, is likely to rot due to prolonged use in a public space, and exposure to the elements without covering. Metal too, though long lasting, is at risk of appearing more clinical and utilitarian, often standing out like a sore thumb in an open green space, and may need oiling and repainting to keep a consistent finish.

Recycled plastic memorial benches, in contrast, are incredibly long lasting, due to the weather-resistant nature of plastic material. The surface is also extremely easy to wipe down and clean, should any staining or marks affect the plastic lumber. Recycled plastic is highly weatherproof, and is UV stable, helping the colour to fade less when the bench is situated under direct sunlight. Though it is a strong material, the plastic can be easily drilled into, so you can fix a bespoke metal sign or memorial plaque wherever you choose. Please be aware that there may be rules and regulations about what you can write on your memorial plaque, and you may need to check with a local governing body prior to installation.

With a broad selection of different outdoor benches available from NeoTimber®, you can choose recycled plastic memorial benches suitable for any space. Our more traditional options include the Sloper, City and Moulded Benches, which all boast simple, crisp designs. We recommend taking a look at the other benches in the area you wish to install your own, to give you a better understanding of the visual language of the space. The Sloper bench is perhaps the best bench to use for a memorial, as it both looks and feels most like traditional timber. You can choose from either brown or black tones, though the brown colour will better blend into a natural environment.

Recycled plastic is also more broadly used in these kind of community spaces, with planters, litter bins, and even the bollards bordering walkways often made from the material. By choosing recycled plastic memorial benches over other materials, you help to seamlessly build your tribute to fit into its surroundings. Many people choose benches to commemorate a loved one because the frequent, daily use of a bench helps to preserve their memory. Our recycled plastic memorial benches will last for longer than more natural materials, ensuring a more long-lasting legacy.

In the last decade, we are seeing a rise of sustainable funeral arrangements being specified in wills. These can range from green burials, using wicker caskets over treated timber, and avoiding adding floral arrangements that use floral foam or wrapped single-use plastic. With our recycled memorial benches, you can embody these same eco-friendly principles, installing a memorial that has been made ethically and responsibly. All of our benches are made from recycled plastic, which would otherwise end up as landfill waste, or in incinerators. This helps to give plastic material a further “life,” repurposing it into something new. Waste plastic is meticuously checked for quality throughout the entire recycling process, meaning only the best plastic will be used for your memorial bench.

At NeoTimber®, we have over a decade of experience in crafting high-quality recycled plastic materials, so you know that everything we produce will receive the same care and respect that a memorial bench deserves. All of our recycled plastic furniture products are backed up with a 25-year warranty, though the strength of the material should ensure that your memorial lasts for decades, with minimal upkeep.

To conclude, by choosing recycled plastic memorial benches over other kinds of materials, you can ensure that your loving tribute for a loved one is a fitting one, that it will remain strong and sturdy, and be used for years to come. For more information about the differences between our benches, we recommend reading our product catalogue for individual specifications, as the space you wish you install your bench in may have strict regulations.