That's an excellent question, and one we hear often from communities and landscape architects. The comparison is more nuanced than a simple "better or worse," but when evaluating long-term performance, maintenance, and environmental impact, recycled plastic benches present a compelling and often superior alternative.
Let's break it down like a real-world project manager would:
Durability & Lifespan: A Tie, with Different Strengths
Both materials are built to last. High-quality tropical hardwoods like Ipe or Teak are incredibly dense and naturally resistant to rot and insects. A well-maintained hardwood bench can easily serve for 25+ years.
Recycled plastic benches (made from HDPE or a composite) are inherently immune to rot, rust, and insect damage. They won't splinter, crack, or warp under normal conditions, and their lifespan also reliably exceeds 20-25 years. So, in terms of raw longevity, it's a draw.
The Major Divergence: Maintenance and Consistency
This is where the story changes. Tropical hardwood requires regular, ongoing care to maintain its appearance and longevity. It will naturally weather to a silvery-gray patina unless you apply oils or sealants annually or bi-annually. Without this care, it can become susceptible to checking (small cracks) and a rougher texture.
Recycled plastic benches, in contrast, are virtually maintenance-free. They never need painting, staining, or sealing. A simple wash with soap and water is all that's required to keep them looking new. Their color is molded throughout the material, so it won't fade significantly or peel.
Performance in the Elements
Hardwood handles moisture well but can be affected by constant wet-dry cycles, leading to expansion and contraction. In tropical climates, fungi can sometimes be an issue.
Recycled plastic excels here. It is completely waterproof and unaffected by humidity, salt spray (perfect for coastal areas), and temperature fluctuations. It won't absorb moisture, so it never feels cold and damp to the touch like wood sometimes can.
Sustainability & Ethics: A Core Difference
This is a critical point. Sourcing tropical hardwood raises significant concerns about deforestation, habitat loss, and supply chain ethics, even with certification systems like FSC.
Recycled plastic benches turn waste (like milk jugs and detergent bottles) into a high-value resource. They reduce landfill burden and demand for virgin materials. Their entire lifecycle story is one of circular economy, which is a powerful advantage for projects with green mandates.
Feel and Aesthetics
Hardwood has a classic, warm, natural feel that many people love. Recycled plastic has come a long way; modern designs offer textured finishes that mimic wood grain and are surprisingly comfortable. While it feels different—more consistent and slightly softer to the touch—it is not "cheap" feeling when you specify a high-grade product.
The Bottom Line:
Choose tropical hardwood if your priority is a classic natural aesthetic and you have a committed, long-term budget for regular maintenance and refinishing.
Choose recycled plastic if you want to maximize long-term value with near-zero maintenance, ensure consistency and safety (no splinters), prioritize a clear environmental benefit, and need furniture that performs identically in any climate without fuss.
In short, for public parks, schools, municipal spaces, and any application where reducing lifetime cost and labor is key, recycled plastic benches don't just hold up—they often become the smarter, more sustainable investment over their entire lifecycle.