Picnic Tables From Recycled Materials

Recycled Plastic Picnic Tables

• Recycled plastic tables are made from milk jugs, soda bottles and other disposable plastic products. The plastic is sorted, melted, strengthened and molded into a picnic table and comes in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Recycled plastic picnic tables are easier to maintain than wood or metal picnic tables because they don't rust, warp, crack or deteriorate.

Recycled Wood Picnic Tables

• Although not mass produced in large quantities like recycled plastic tables, picnic tables made from reclaimed wood are available for sale. Search your area for artisans, crafters or woodworkers and you should find someone who makes picnic tables from reclaimed wood. Crafting usable items from reclaimed wood is becoming more and more common as people jump on the reduce-reuse-recycle bandwagon.

Build Your Own

• If you have a source for used lumber, you can build your own picnic table. Picnic table building plans are available for purchase and sometimes even for free at home centers, lumber retailers on many websites and in home magazines. Building a picnic table is a project the entire family can pitch in on. When using reclaimed lumber, look for straight boards with no warping, and use paint or stain to brighten weathered gray wood.

Refurbish an Old Table

• Another environmentally-friendly option is to rescue an old picnic table that is headed for the landfill. With a few tools, some new hardware and a coat or two of paint or stain, you can have a gorgeous picnic table that is as good as new yet in a sense recycled. Post a "wanted" ad on your local Internet classifieds site, and you'll likely find someone willing to give you their dilapidated old table for free.