Discover why recycled plastic picnic tables are the smarter choice for outdoor spaces. Combining exceptional durability, low maintenance, sustainability, and accessible design, these weather-resistant picnic benches provide a long-lasting, cost-effective solution for schools, parks, and commercial environments.
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- Built to withstand harsh weather with a 25-year guarantee
- Virtually maintenance-free with no painting or sealing required
- Made from 100% British recycled plastic materials
- Helps reduce waste and lower carbon footprints
- Available in customisable colours, styles, and sizes
- More cost-effective long term than wood or composite
- Accessible designs available for inclusive outdoor spaces
- Ideal for schools, parks, gardens, and public areas
Picnic Tables for Outdoor Spaces
When it comes to choosing outdoor picnic tables, durability, sustainability, and low maintenance are key considerations. Traditional materials like wood or composite may seem like a good option at first glance, but recycled plastic picnic tables are proving to be the superior choice for many outdoor spaces, from parks to schools and gardens. Here’s why they are a game-changer for anyone seeking long-lasting, sustainable outdoor furniture.
1. Durable Picnic Benches That Withstand the Elements
One of the primary reasons people choose recycled plastic picnic tables over wooden or composite alternatives is their unmatched durability, and British Recycled Plastic picnic tables come with a whopping 25 year guarantee.
Unlike wood, which can splinter, rot, or degrade over time when exposed to the elements, recycled plastic is resistant to weather conditions.
Whether it’s heavy rain, scorching sun, or freezing temperatures, these picnic benches remain in great condition for years. Not only do Recycled Plastic products avoid the usual issues like rust, rot, or insect damage, but they also don’t require the frequent upkeep that wooden picnic tables need, such as staining or painting
2. Low Maintenance Picnic Tables for Busy Spaces
In public areas like parks, schools, or commercial spaces, picnic tables and seats are subject to constant use and exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Our furniture is virtually maintenance-free. Unlike wooden picnic benches that need regular care to prevent wear and tear, recycled plastic only requires occasional cleaning with water to remove dirt and debris.
Our picnic benches and benches dry quickly using only a cloth which makes it instantly useable after a good dose of British rain. This low-maintenance feature makes them particularly appealing for high-traffic and flood-prone areas areas where the cost of maintaining wooden tables would be much higher over time.
3. Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Picnic Tables
Choosing recycled plastic furniture is not only a smart financial decision but also an eco-conscious one. Our picnic benches are made from 100% British recycled materials, often sourced from agricultural and industrial waste, such as plastic wrap or packaging. By reusing plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill, these tables contribute to reducing overall waste and lowering carbon footprints. British Recycled Plastic are hugely proud of the carbon we save and can even tell you how much carbon you have saved by purchasing one of our picnic benches!
In contrast, wooden tables often rely on unsustainable forestry practices, contributing to deforestation. Additionally, wood requires frequent treatments with chemicals to maintain its longevity, further impacting the environment. By opting for recycled plastic picnic tables, you support sustainable practices and reduce the negative environmental impact
4. Customisable, Versatile Picnic Tables
Many people think of picnic tables and benches as functional but not particularly stylish. However, British Recycled Plastic tables come in a wide range of colors, styles, and designs that can complement any outdoor space. Whether you’re looking for bright, vibrant colors for a playground or neutral tones for a natural park, there are options to fit your vision.
These picnic benches can also be customized to match the branding or theme of an organization, making them ideal for schools, parks, or corporate outdoor areas. Unlike composite materials, which attempt to mimic wood, recycled plastic opens up new possibilities for creativity and design. British Recycled Plastic Picnic Tables come in a range of styles, shapes and sizes including A frame tables, X frame tables, Circular and even Square picnic tables. You can see our extensive range here.
5. Cost-Effective Picnic Tables
In terms of cost-effectiveness, recycled plastic picnic tables offer long-term financial benefits that make them a smart investment. While the initial purchase price may be higher than wooden or composite options, the real savings come in the form of minimal maintenance costs and an extended lifespan. Wood requires regular sealing, painting, and repairs due to weathering, rot, or insect damage. These costs accumulate over time, especially in harsh outdoor environments.
In contrast, recycled plastic picnic benches require virtually no maintenance—just occasional cleaning. They don’t crack, fade, or rot, which means they don’t need costly treatments or replacements. Furthermore, their durability reduces the likelihood of having to buy new tables every few years, as is common with wooden or composite picnic tables. This makes them a cost-effective solution in the long run, particularly for public spaces or businesses where furniture is exposed to heavy use and various weather conditions
6: Tables That Promote Accessibility
At British Recycled Plastic, we are committed to inclusivity and ensuring that everyone can enjoy outdoor spaces. That’s why we offer an extensive range of accessible outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic, specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities or reduced mobility. Our products are not only durable and weather-resistant but also crafted with thoughtful features to improve accessibility and comfort.
Our wheelchair-accessible picnic tables feature spacious designs that allow for easy wheelchair access, ensuring that everyone can enjoy outdoor dining or activities in a comfortable setting. Similarly, our benches and seating options are available with reduced heights and clearances to make them accessible to people with limited mobility, providing all users with ergonomic comfort and a pleasant experience.
The Smart Choice for Outdoor Spaces
Whether you’re outfitting a public park, school, or personal garden, our outdoor furniture offer an unbeatable combination of durability, sustainability, and aesthetic versatility. Their resistance to weather, low maintenance needs, and environmental benefits make them the best choice for any outdoor space. With recycled plastic picnic tables, you invest not only in long-lasting furniture but also in a greener, more sustainable future.
Intrigued? Visit our Recycled Plastic Picnic Tables page to view our offer. There is also a range of useful information including video and article case studies to help inspire and guide you.
We also have a YouTube Page with excellent case studies and example projects.
Contact Us!
Written by the British Recycled Plastics team.
Updated June 2026
Painting a British Recycled plastic picnic table is not recommended or indeed needed. Unlike wooden picnic benches, recycled plastic picnic tables are designed to be low-maintenance and retain their colour without the need for painting or staining.
One of the many benefits of outdoor picnic benches made from recycled plastic is their long-lasting, fade-resistant colour. These tables are available in a variety of colours (even rainbow!) to suit any outdoor space, so there’s no need for additional painting. Opting for recycled plastic picnic tables ensures you get a durable, weather-resistant, and eco-friendly product that looks great for years with minimal effort.
For a vibrant, long-lasting, value added alternative to traditional options, choose recycled plastic picnic tables over painted outdoor picnic tables.
Recycled plastic lumber should always be stored laid flat on delivery, until you start work on it.
In common with all of our products, all of our recycled plastic picnic benches are sent out via the national pallet network, strapped to standard 1000mm x 1200mm pallets. Most picnic benches go on two pallets and, if they are flat-packed, can be stacked five high on the same two pallets. If they are fully assembled then they can be stacked two high.
The delivery cost is included for mainland UK addresses, other than Highlands and Islands for which our hauliers charge a slight premium.
Yes, our picnic benches come with a hole for a parasol unless specified otherwise. If you don’t require a hole, let us know.
After a number of years experimenting with blends, we have found it very difficult to produce a consistent yellow plastic without introducing what, to us, is an unacceptable amount of virgin material into the mixture. This has led us switching to a bright lime colour, similar to that used on hi-viz jackets, as our alternative. So far, this has gone down very well with our customers.
We are not in a position to comment on the amounts of virgin plastic used by other companies in the production of their yellow. Perhaps you can ask them yourselves.
British Recycled Plastic picnic tables are either fully black, fully brown or with black or brown frames and seats and tops in any combination of blue, red, forest green, lilac, pink, orange, grey and bright lime.
British Recycled Plastic can unequivocally guarantee that our picnic tables will never rot. Not ever. They are chemically inert so there is absolutely no organic matter that can decay in anyway. We even give them a 25 year guarantee.
No, British Recycled Plastic picnic tables will never split or splinter in any way.
It depends where they are. They often weigh over 100kg so they are unlikely to be moved in most situations, particularly if they are behind locked gates, but just in case, we do offer both soft and hard ground fixing kits as optional extras.
Our British recycled plastic products are designed to last well over 100 years, though the exact lifespan could range from 101 to even 500 years—we simply don’t know yet! The same properties that make plastic problematic in some contexts, such as its durability, are what make it exceptionally “good” here, ensuring long-lasting, sustainable performance in our products.
