Berry Global’s Plaswood® business has collaborated with ecological transformation specialist Veolia to install Plaswood® plastic lumber raised flower beds outside Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates stadium. Manufactured in part from recycled seat covers from the stadium, the new flower beds emphasize plastics’ role in the circular economy by demonstrating how products can be given a useful second life and avoid being sent to landfills.
The used seat covers were collected by Veolia and delivered to the Plaswood® recycling facility in Dumfries, Scotland where together with other waste plastic, they were shredded, reprocessed, and remanufactured into high-quality recycled and recyclable plastic lumber. The material provides a durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance solution for the new raised bed structure.
Plaswood® is not only weatherproof and moisture repellent, but it is also resistant to oils, acids, and alkaline solutions, eliminating the need for painting or chemical treatment of the flower beds and providing a reliable, long-term solution that retains its structural integrity while reducing maintenance costs many times over when compared to timber material. The material's long service life, stability, and attractive appearance are particularly important, as the flower beds are located in a prominent position around the Emirates Stadium.
“The effective recycling of plastic into new products supports companies as they strive to make progress toward a circular, net-zero economy and are key commitments of Berry’s ongoing sustainability strategy,” commented Katherine Lorek, Plaswood®’s Sales Director.
“In addition, this latest project demonstrates the versatility of Plaswood® in providing practical and aesthetic solutions for a variety of outdoor garden and landscaping applications.”