| Recycled Plastic Payback This example of comparative costs between timber and Recycled plastic lumber, is taken from a walkway, but its obvious conclusions can be applied to most situations where the two materials would be permanently outdoors, continually at the mercy of the elements. Assumptions Timber solution must be replaced every 7 years. Maintenance on timber is required annually from year 2. Inflation is not applied to the annual cost of maintenance. The average annual cost of maintenance of materials and labour is £176 per annum. Average Cost per 100 meters of walkway over the time shown:
Timber £1300 - Recycled Plastic £370 Conclusion Although the initial outlay for recycled plastic is higher, the long-term costs are very significantly lower compared to treated timber. | 
