The short answer is both—but not in the same slat category. Our outdoor bench factory does use recycled materials in selected slats, while standard solid wood slats are made from virgin lumber. So the production line is not all virgin lumber, and it is not all recycled material either. The material mix depends on the bench design, the slat profile, the structural requirements, and the customer’s sustainability goals.
For solid timber slats, we typically use responsibly sourced virgin lumber, including FSC-certified options. Virgin lumber is chosen because it offers predictable strength, stable fastening, consistent machining, and reliable outdoor performance when properly treated or finished. Recycled wood can vary in density, moisture content, and grain quality, so we do not use it indiscriminately in load-bearing or precision-fit solid wood slats. This is especially important for public parks, hospitality terraces, and commercial landscapes where benches must withstand frequent use and changing weather.
Recycled content enters our slat program through composite and HDPE slat options. These slats can incorporate post-consumer or post-industrial recycled material, such as recycled HDPE and recycled wood fiber. They are popular for outdoor bench projects that prioritize low maintenance, moisture resistance, and reduced demand for new timber. We specify the recycled percentage by product line and can provide material documentation for project teams that need it. For customers who ask, “Are your slats recycled or all virgin lumber?” we clarify the exact slat construction before quoting, because a mixed-material factory should be transparent about what each specification contains.
Our approach is not to make a blanket green claim. Instead, we separate solid wood slats from recycled-content slats, test each for strength, finish, and weather exposure, and help buyers choose the right balance. If a project requires recycled slats, we can propose composite or HDPE profiles with verified recycled content. If a project requires traditional solid wood, we use virgin lumber from responsible sources and recommend the appropriate treatment and maintenance plan.
In short, our factory uses recycled materials in the slats where the specification supports it, but it does not use recycled material in every slat. Solid wood slats remain virgin lumber; composite and HDPE slats can include recycled content. This gives architects, contractors, and outdoor furniture buyers a clearer choice between natural timber character and recycled-material performance.
