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Plastic Wood and Alternative Materials for Trail Structures U.S. Department of Agriculture Plastic Wood Forest Service National Technology & and Alternative Development Program 2300—Recreation Management Materials for Trail 1123 1804—SDTDC April 2011 Structures WEB ONLY Plastic Wood and Alternative Materials for Trail Structures By Martha Willbee, Outdoor Recreation Planner Forest Service San Dimas Technology & Development Center San Dimas, CA Information contained in this document has been developed for the guidance of employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, its contractors, and cooperating Federal and State agencies. The USDA Forest Service assumes no responsibility for the interpretation or use of this information by other than its own employees. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official evaluation, conclusion, recommendation, endorsement, or approval of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Background ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Structural Elements of a Trail ................................................................................................................. 2 Recycled Plastic Lumber ........................................................................................................................ 2 High- and Low-Density Polyethylene ............................................................................................ 3 Wood-Plastic Composite ............................................................................................................... 4 Fiberglass-Reinforced Polymers ................................................................................................... 4 Polyvinyl Chloride .......................................................................................................................... 5 Alternative Materials to Recycled Plastic Lumber .................................................................................. 5 North American Decay-Resistant Woods ...................................................................................... 5 Tropical Hardwoods ...................................................................................................................... 6 Rubber ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Aluminum ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Wood Preservatives and Coatings ......................................................................................................... 8 ACQ ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Borates .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Copper Azole ................................................................................................................................. 9 Cyproconazole .............................................................................................................................. 9 Propiconazole ................................................................................................................................ 9 Modified Woods ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Table of Materials and Characteristics.................................................................................................. 10 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Appendix A – Case Studies .................................................................................................................. 13 Case Study 1: Puncheon with Plastic Lumber on Iron Goat Trail, Region 6, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF, Skykomish RD, WA .................................................. 13 Case Study 2: Floating Boardwalk at Crown Hill Kestral Pond, Golden, CO .............................. 15 Case Study 3: Ipe-Wood Trail Braidges, Region 5, San Bernardino NF, Fawnskin, CA ...................................................................................................... 16 Case Study 4: Picnic Tables, Jenks Lake, Region 5, San Bernardino NF, CA ............................ 17 Case Study 5: Silver Lake Nature Center, Bristol, PA ................................................................. 18 Case Study 6: Lakeshore Boardwalk, Lake Superior, Duluth, MN .............................................. 19 Case Study 7: Corkscrew Swamp Boardwalk, Naples, FL .......................................................... 20 Case Study 8: Extruded Aluminum Bridge Deck, Clark County, KY ............................................ 21 Appendix B – Reference Material ......................................................................................................... 22 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 24 v Introduction INTRODUCTION Historically, trail structures and boardwalks have been constructed of wood found in the local area. The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has thousands of linear feet of puncheon boardwalks that have deteriorated and need to be replaced. Some sites are in the third generation of puncheon, and there is a lack of onsite materials. Some of the material is treated wood and split western red cedar, which has a useful life of 40 years at best. There is now a concern about using treated wood in wetlands and the exposure of trail workers to hazardous chemicals. Forest staffs want to use material that has greater longevity, is more environmentally friendly, and is safer to install and maintain. While the initial cost of alternatives to traditional woods may be more expensive, the cost of maintenance and length of life may prove to be less cost effective over time. With the advent of new materials, other options are now available. New technology, such as recycled plastic lumber, plastic (polymer) reinforced with fiberglass (RFP), aluminum, and rubber lumber, is being used. For wood applications, tropical hardwoods are being used with great success; for treated lumber, there are environmentally friendly wood preservatives that can extend the life of a project. This guide is written for anyone exploring alternative materials for new trail structures or replacing existing trail structures. It includes types of materials available, the advantages and disadvantages of each material, and examples. There is a Web link for additional information on structural elements of a trail. Wood treatment alternatives to chromated copper arsenate (CCA)- treated wood also are discussed. Eight case studies are included in appendix A. Information on the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) and the “Built Environment Image Guide” (BEIG) are included in appendix B. 1 Plastic Wood and Alternative Materials for Trail Structures BACKGROUND q Are products available that use only 100 Almost every material used for a trail structure percent post-consumer ingredients? requires annual maintenance to remove Many urban areas have recycling centers debris and water and increase longevity. that offer polyethylene resins for local While no material lasts forever with little or no manufacturing use. If a resin/wood product maintenance, there are materials that will improve must be used for the sake of appearance, the life and quality of a project if maintained find a manufacturer that uses local and detailed to shed water. Each material has reclaimed wood products. See: <http:// the potential to minimize maintenance issues. extension.ucdavis.edu/unit/green_building_ However, there needs to be a balance between and_sustainability/pdf/resources/how_ specific project requirements, regional product green.pdf>. availability, and recycling options. Some questions to ask when selecting material for the project application are: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF A TRAIL
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