Recycled Plastic Bases

There is a growing need for organisations to bring the Circular Economy strategy into their operations. In reviewing the Cemetery industry we work in, we identified a true recycled economy that returns used plastic into an everyday product such as a memorial base. Looking like, but lighter than concrete, the bases are made from HDPE plastic (High-Density Polyethylene) and is sourced from local kerbside waste, which includes food containers, shampoo and milk bottles.

Partnering with APR Composites Pty Ltd, Dearly Plaques & Memorials can provide a full suite of memorial bases for cemeteries to utilise as new areas are developed, and as replacement memorial bases are required. Both businesses are working together and embracing a transition toward a Circular Economy for the Australian Cemetery Industry. This means economic and environmental results for the communities and local economies as well as improvements in environmental impacts for our cemeteries.

The Recycled Memorial

Bases Each base is designed in a like shape as exiting concrete structures or can be tailored to specific memorial sizes. The base is made from plastics that are collected at the kerbside, we are familiar with the HDPE plastics we place into our recycle bins each week, now these can return back as a memorial base in our cemeteries.

The most common items include:

• 2 & 3 Litre Milk Bottles, without lids
• Shampoo Bottles
• Toys
• Chemical Containers
• Pipe Systems
• Recycling Bins
• Flower Pots

Manufactured utilising recycled HDPE (a single polymer) and HALS UV stabiliser, the bases can be different colours, sizes and shapes. Rigorous Testing has occurred with the recycled products as well during the design process additional measures are taken to ensure the base is a structurally sound and will last. For example in a large tile shape 520 X 520 there are ‘kiss off’ inserts to ensure the middle does not dip from the edges and the base remains flat.

Each recycled memorial base will have the equivalent amount of recycled milk bottles used to produce a base. With this in mind, it is estimated that 370 empty 2 litre plastic milk bottles (without lids) make up one cubic meter of landfill.

With plastic use in the forefront of the consumer minds, creating a sustainable solution for reuse and the reduction of plastics as a waste product is vital and makes us accountable for our environmental impact. Installation of plastic concrete substitutes will result in lower costs and energy usage because of the much lower weight to volume ratio of recycled plastic. This gives significant savings in labour and lifting machinery costs. In addition, the use of lightweight recycled plastic products has significant occupational health and safety advantages.

Any increase in costs incurred must be considered against the advantages involved in the use of recycled plastics, with generally an increased life expectancy.

The recycled plastic base is cost comparable to current concrete bases used within cemeteries.

For more information download this flyer.