If you’re looking to incorporate sustainable design into your building plans, it can be challenging to make sense of competing claims about which decking materials are best for the environment. Read on to find out why Millboard is a leader in low-carbon decking—and how it holds up against composite decking.
Superior material design
Typically, composite decking is made of melted plastic (thermoplastics) combined with wood. Though wood is biodegradable, it stops being recyclable when mixed with plastic. Millboard materials, on the other hand, are made of a core of natural minerals bonded in polymer resin. Over a third of the raw materials in this core are recycled.
The boards’ Lastane coating is made partly from renewable natural oil polyols, which are derived from natural vegetable oils rather than petroleum.
Polyurethane is more efficient to process than thermoplastics, and as a building material, it has a lifespan of over 50 years. Plus, its low maintenance quality reduces the need for harmful chemical sprays, cleaners, and sealants that can damage plants, pollute water, and endanger human health.
Low carbon footprint manufacture
Millboard is the first premium outdoor flooring company to have its carbon footprint ISO 14064-1 verified, an international standard for greenhouse gas emissions. Its innovative polyurethane materials are efficient to produce and its manufacturing process has been rigorously tested to have a low environmental impact.
Environmental impact and sustainability are at the center of their mission, and they are constantly working to improve their carbon footprint and expand the ways Millboard materials can be recycled.
What else makes Millboard great?
Because Millboard materials are so lightweight, they can be transported more efficiently than composite materials. More materials means fewer trips and lower carbon emissions on the road to the work site.
Millboard packaging for transport is fully recyclable, and lightweight as well. And because the polyurethane boards are durable and stable in any weather conditions, they can be stored without any extra plastic covering or packaging.
Millboard material can also be recycled and reused. It can be ground down and used for other building materials like concrete. Leftover material can also be reused to make other structures and features like path edging, planters, benches, or even bird boxes. And when incinerated, Millboard products release an equivalent amount of energy as they did when they were created.
Overall, when it comes to building green for landscapes, decks, and outdoor furniture, the most environmentally friendly option is a wood-free material made from natural and recycled materials and designed with conservation and efficiency in mind. If you value environmental conservation and sustainable architecture, Millboard is the best low-carbon choice on the market.
