|
|
|
Recycled Structural Plastic, RSP, a lumber
 made
from reclaimed plastic, is an environmentally friendly maintenance-free
alternative to metal and pressure treated wood offering innumerable
advantages (see the comparison chart below).
An average Play
Mart playset recycles 25,000 milk jugs (nearly 7 jugs/lb of RSP). |
Tan
Brown
 |
|
RSP is available in two beautifully natural colors with molded texture: Tan and
Brown (as seen above). |
|
RSP is solid plastic all the way through - 100% recycled material - not simply a
veneer of recycled material around metal or wood posts. Don't be fooled by
competitor's claims to be 100% recycled!
|
Recycled
Structural Plastic Lumber (RSP)
Vs.
Metal & Treated Wood Lumber |
| CONDITIONS |
RSP |
METAL |
PRESSURE TREATED WOOD |
|
WEATHERING
(Due to Exposure) |
RSP
- LOW
No rotting , splintering, cracking or
checking. No organic materials to deteriorate. Color is consistent
throughout material. |
METAL
- MODERATE
Pollution & exposure
will cause
erosion, rust and fading over time.
Reacts to moisture from ground &
pinholes in the welds. |
WOOD
- HIGH
Organic material will fade, rot,
splinter, check and crack. |
|
PAINTING / SANDING MAINTENANCE |
RSP
- NONE
Color is consistent throughout
material / UV protected. Fade
resistant. |
METAL
- INFREQUENT
Must be galvanized/
electro-magnetic powder coated. Color is only surface
deep; can be scratched through to unpainted metal. |
WOOD
- FREQUENT
Must be
painted/ stained/
protected as a regular routine. |
|
LIFE
EXPECTANCY |
RSP
- LONGEST
Recycled Plastic Lumber
tests show less than 1% deterioration over 75
years. |
METAL
- LONG
Structural -
lifetime. Appearance - 3-5 yrs depending on paint
& moisture. |
WOOD
- SHORTEST
With proper care and
upkeep its approximate lifespan is 10 years. |
|
COST
EFFICIENCY |
RSP
- BEST
VALUE
Play Mart's RSP
play systems are very competitive to metal
play systems. |
METAL
- HIGHEST
INITIAL COST
Price competitive
to RSP, more expensive than wood. |
WOOD
- LOWEST
INITIAL COST
Initial Price
lower than RSP and
metal. |
|
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY |
RSP
- MODERATE
Stronger
than wood/polymer composites. Steel
reinforced members are structurally
stronger than wood products. Flex-Safe
capabilities allow flex on impact in
support structure. |
METAL
- HIGH
Strongest
structural members. Not flexible on
impact. |
WOOD
- MODERATE
Stronger
than non-reinforced RSP structural
posts. Tends to crack or snap on
impact. Not flexible. |
|
INSTALLATION |
RSP
- EASIEST
Prefabricated
Kits available.
Need professional
installation crew or CPSI
Supervisor. 100% Prefabricated & Mostly
Pre-assembled. |
METAL
- MODERATE
Prefabricated
Kits available.
Need professional
installation crew or CPSI
Supervisor.
Prefabricated
& Partial Pre-assembled
|
WOOD
- EASY-DIFFICULT
Most
projects come with plans and
materials only and complete
manufacturing is required.
(High labor & Low
or inconsistent Quality, with
High probability of violating
safety codes.)
Need professional
installation crew or CPSI
Supervisor.
Partial
Prefabricated & Partial
Pre-assembled.
|
|
ADDITIVES |
RSP
- SAFE
No
toxic materials added. UV stabilizer added for color retention. |
METAL
- NOT
SAFE
Older
metal play system may
contain toxic levels of
lead. Check w/ manufacturer for toxicity levels. |
WOOD
- NOT
SAFE
Older
wood,
treated lumber
and ties may contain
arsenic, creosote or
other toxins. |
|
VANDAL RESISTANCE |
RSP
- HIGH
Very
easy to repair.
Consistent solid
material.
Spray
paint/ markers can
be cleaned with
common household
cleaner,
water base paint
or graffiti
removers. |
METAL
- MODERATE
Repairs
costly and time
consuming. Painted
metal is
vulnerable to
scratches &
scrapes due to
buckles and
pocket knives. |
WOOD
- LOW
Repairs
costly and
time
consuming.
Will need
Sanding,
Staining Water
repellent
added if
vandalized. |
|
FIRE
RESISTANCE |
RSP
- MODERATE
Higher
ignition point than wood. |
METAL
- MODERATE
Plastic
components
and
Plastisol
coating
damageable. |
WOOD
- LOW
Very
low
resistance
to
fire. |
|
INSECT RESISTANCE |
RSP
- HIGH
Impervious
&
immune to
all
borers,
insects
and
termites. |
METAL
- MODERATE
|
WOOD
- LOW
Very
low
resistance
to
insects,
termites
and
other
borers. |
|
USER
SAFETY |
RSP
-
SAFEST
Insulated
-
moderates
heat
&
cold. Flexible - safer for children's fall to surface. |
METAL
-
SAFETY
PROBLEMS
Heat
&
cold
affected.
Hard
-
unyielding
to
falls
to
surface. |
WOOD
-
SAFETY
PROBLEMS
Splinters,
cracks,
rough.
Moderately
heat
&
cold
resistant. Moderate flexibility. |
RSP Specification Page Links:
RSP COMPOSITION OF RECYCLED MATERIALS
3.1 TEST: PLASTIC LUMBER BENDING TESTS
3.2 TEST: PLASTIC LUMBER HARDNESS TESTING
3.4 TEST: PLASTIC LUMBER WATER ABSORPTION RATES
RHODES TEST: PLASTIC (composite) LUMBER WITH STEEL INSERTS BENDING TESTS
|
|
To download a pdf
version of the RSP Specifications, click
here. You must have the Adobe Acrobat Readera
software installed on your computer. To
download a free version of the Reader, click on this link: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html |
|
Play Mart stands behind RSP, believing that it is economically efficient as
well as environmentally responsible. Environmentally conscious customers can now choose,
through Play Mart, a product that conserves
our beautiful redwood & pine forests by using reclaimed plastic instead of wood.
What a solution to the landfill nightmares – let your kids play on recycled
materials!
|
