The plastic or composite lumber market, in particular, is an exciting 21st century development that provides a long-lasting, alternative to traditional hardwood. The product uses recycled or virgin plastic, often mixing it with natural fibres such as wood to create a composite lumber product that offers benefits traditional wood just cannot match. The product won’t rot, crack, warp or splinter. It’s denser than wood, and virtually maintenance free. It is insect-resistant, and durable. Excellent for marine use, plastic lumber products can last more than half a century depending on the application. By giving new life to used plastic products, including plastic shopping bags, plastic lumber not only helps save our forests so critical to global warming, but it helps extend the life of applications that have traditionally relied on wood as their main ingredient.