Many items today are traditionally made out of wood. However the use of wood is fraught with problems. Much wood comes from non sustainable sources and cutting down trees to provide it can cause long term environmental problems. Wood needs to be treated regularly to prevent it from rotting or becoming unsightly due to mildew and algae growth. It has a limited life span. It may have to be treated with flame retardant products to make it less flammable. It is comparatively expensive. It can get very slippery underfoot. So what is the alternative?


Recycled plastic planks are increasingly being seen as THE alternative to using wood outdoors. The thought of plastic planks being used for fencing and walkways can make some people shudder in horror- that is unless they have actually seen them in action.

Recycled plastic planks can now look very much like wood, and in fact it takes very close scrutiny to tell the difference. On a large scale, plastic planks are increasingly being used in such places as country parks and bird reserves to provide a valuable alternative to the old fashioned wooden walkways. As a bonus, plastic planks are made from one hundred per cent recycled material. Plastic bottles such as milk bottles are ending up as ‘green walkways’ instead of in landfill sites.

The advantages of using plastic planks instead of wood are numerous. It is more flexible than wood, and so easier to place on uneven ground. It doesn’t chip and is extremely tough. It has an estimated life span of at least 30 years, which compared to about fifteen for wood means that over the long term it is extremely cost effective. During that time it is largely maintenance free. Though plastic will melt at very high temperatures which under normal circumstances would not occur, it doesn’t catch fire easily. When making fences, posts and walkways, it is easy to drill and to work with. It is much more resistant to graffiti than wood, so in a public place this is another way to reduce long term costs. It is less slippery underfoot, an extremely important characteristic when disabled access is needed. It is much more resistant to water damage so it is ideal in an area where flooding may occur or there is a high rainfall. Plastic planks are also chemically inactive, which means that they will not react to the environment and no harmful chemicals can leach out to contaminate the water table.

Additionally now, production methods means that it is possible to have the wood in a wide variety of colours which makes much more interesting items for children especially.

Though plastic planks can be seen as the new alternative to wood, they have actually been tried and tested for twenty years. Their advantages are now firmly proven, and the countryside can have its plastic bottles made into plastic planks instead.

The summer is here (?) and with the warmer weather the number of events in the UK has multiplied. Events such as festivals and carnivals bring prosperity and custom to lots of small towns and villages. These events could be a simple as a village rose show, or as elaborate as a massive pop festival. Whatever the size of the event, the aftermath of the disruption to the town or village needs to be minimised.

The traditional site for a village show is on the village green. These are often open grassed areas area in the centre of a village or nearby. The grass will need protection from numerous feet if it is not to be damaged extensively and the only solution to this is to put down ground protection mats.  GroundMate mats can also be placed under tents and marquees so that tables and chairs do not cause large indentations in the soil. Apart from protecting the ground, ground mats also protect shoes.

Parking is often the problem at special events. Unlike the big all year venues, car parking is not always readily available for seasonal events. Often a nearby field has to be utilised as off road car parking. As we can’t guarantee the British weather, a temporary car park may soon end up being a sea of mud, causing long term damage to the field. Worse still, they can become so boggy that cars may even become stuck in the mud.  Definitely bad news for any event. This can be prevented with a little bit of forethought as ground mats can prevent catastrophes like this in short term temporary car parks.

Access way provide by ground mats for an event

Centriforce ground mats are made from recycled plastic and they themselves are recyclable after use. They have a long lifespan and can be used for years and years. They will help prevent wear and tear on the ground beneath. If a field or grassed area has been loaned or rented for an event, it is good public relations to keep any damage to a minimum and ground sheets are designed for that purpose. Also for those attending events they provide an low slip finish to walk on, ensuring both protection from the mud and a much firmer walkway. Adding a ground mat to your event or festival will give those attending a feeling of security underfoot, and leave the ground beneath in a much better condition.

So ground mats are the key to good relationships with the local populace as well as providing that bit extra for your visitors. Whether your event is a carnival, blues festival, village show or a dog show, ground mats are an essential item.

For many years people have assumed that plastics were a problem in the environment and traditional products are often considered to be the optimum solution for any given application.

However, one example where this may not be the case is with plastic walkways or boardwalks.  Not only is there a replacement for wooden walkways, but in many respects its even better than wood itself, and not only this, but its made from recycled plastics.

Plastic walkway made from recycled plastic at Carlshead Farm, Yorks

The proof that these plastic walkways are environmentally acceptable can be seen by the large number of respected organisations which are using them on a regular basis. Plastic walkways can be found in country parks and nature reserves. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has had recycled plastic walkways at its Ham reserve for nearly ten years, for example.  In fact, you may have been walking on plastic walkways for some time without even realising it. They have been around for about twenty years, and become more and more advanced. They are difficult to distinguish from traditional timber walkways and fit so well into the natural environment. This is why they are so popular in country parks and reserves.

Plastic as a material is durable and extremely water resistant. This makes it ideal for environments such as natural wet lands where the plastic is subjected to all year round water. In a situation where timber would quickly rot, plastic walkways are unaffected. Timber would also have to be treated with expensive (and potential problematical) chemicals to preserve it, whereas plastic remains intact and moreover will not release unwanted chemicals into the water.

In towns also plastic walkways are also becoming more popular. Apart from the benefits already mentioned, plastic is very useful for the safety conscious town planner. The surface of plastic walkways can be made resistant to slipping, which is especially useful in wet weather. This is also valuable for ensuring disabled access in pedestrian areas, as well as looking good. Also in our town centres, sadly, there can be a vandalism problem. Plastic walkways are much more vandal resistant than wood, and also are more difficult to graffiti. They provide a long term useful alternative to wood and should be seriously considered when looking at town and city centre development.

Intended for the long term, and made from fully recycled UK sourced plastic, these walkways provide a fantastic alternative to wood or stone. They fit in completely with either the natural environment or the man made built environment. When you install plastic walkways, you are fitting a product which will last for more than thirty years. Plastic walkways provide a sustainable long term solution and use materials that would otherwise end up in land-fill sites or in other areas which cause environmental problems. You can talk the talk about the environment but plastic walkways are the practical alternative.

If you own a grassed area you probably want to keep it looking good.

Grass is an asset but needs some help if it is to maintain it’s good looks. The conflict between the need for access and keeping grassed areas looking good means that you may need some ground reinforcement to protect your cherished areas when there is a need to take vehicles or pedestrian traffic across.

Access to grassed areas is a frequent requirement – particularly when  you get the weather that the UK seems to be experiencing (again) this summer. One minute, you might have a very firm ground, but after some of the very heavy rain we’ve experienced – and in very short periods – even the firmest of grounds can be difficult to access.

Construction traffic might need access over a grassed area for vehicles, perhaps there is an event going on over a field and some temporary access is required for vehicles or even pedestrians, then you will almost certainly need to give some thought to ground protection.

Centriforce Products have looked at this problem and recently introduced a completely new offering to the problem of ground protection, GroundMate.   If you are looking for a very cost effective solution to minimise possible damage, then this could be the ground reinforcement you need. Construction vehicles can be quite large, up to 30 tonnes, so where heavy duty protection is required, then this could be your solution. Perhaps there is also a need to take portacabins and erect on a field  – possibly with some walkways too?  The applications are wide and varied.

Without protection grassed areas can be completely turned into mud. At one time, plywood would have been used to make the walkways and as a base for the vehicles or portacabins but plywood has the disadvantage that in wet weather it can become extremely slippery, and will rot relatively quickly in the wet climate of Britain.  Also, plywood is no longer considered a sustainable product.  What was the source of the plywood, China?  What can you do with it after the job is complete – apart from skipping it?

Ground protection made from Centriforce’s recycled plastic is incredibly durable and will last for many years. When a construction project is complete, it can be removed and used again for the next project, making it very cost effective.

Ground protection is a must for all types of construction sites. Apart from protecting the ground underneath, it provides a sure footing for pedestrians and vehicles. It is not affected by rain or surface water, so it doesn’t rot or become mildewed and slippery. It is cost effective, lasts for years, and at the end of its useful life can be recycled again so it is environmentally friendly. It has many other applications, such as temporary car parks and festivals.

GroundMate being used for access route