The future of landscaping and grounds care has arrived, and it’s all maintenance free, using a wide range of innovative recycled plastic products offered by a family business – Kedel Limited, based in Lancashire.

“Right from the start we decided our business should be founded on ethical and ecologically sound principles,” says Dermot Walch, Managing Director of Kedel Ltd.  “As far as practically possible, we wanted to make being green a feature of all our company decisions, and not just because it’s become fashionable.”

All Kedel’s recycled materials are sourced in a 50 mile radius of their base in Lancashire, to avoid adding a massive carbon footprint from transporting it from the other side of the world. It might be cheaper, but it won’t be green.

Benches and Picnic Tables
Rather than offer carbon copies of plastic benches already available, Kedel combine different recycled plastic materials in interesting, innovative and aesthetically pleasing ways that are colourful, fun and educational too.

“Recently a customer complained that we had sent a wooden product instead of recycled plastic,” explained Lewis Walch, Kedel Customer Service Manager, “It’s a common mistake–Kedel’s plastic wood is very convincing.”

Overflow Car Parking – Ground Reinforcement Grids
Kedel’s recycled plastic Drainage and Ground Reinforcement Grids are another boon for landscaping and grounds care professionals.

These grids can easily carry up to 16 tonnes axle weight. They clip together securely and cost as little as £9.00 ex VAT per sq meter.

Once laid, they can be filled with a variety of materials, including soil and seed to give a pleasing lawn, which can safely carry heavy traffic for parking or access roads.

No planning permission is needed, as surface water can drain through freely in line with current SUDS legislation regarding run off.

Specialist Bespoke Design Services
This year, Kedel have successfully developed over 30 specialist education products that combine recycled plastic in new and innovative ways.

Their product design team offer a comprehensive bespoke design service, including product design and development, prototype production, testing and manufacture.

Customer Service Commitment
“Many big businesses encourage a strong sense of loyalty and employee involvement, but being a close knit family, we already have that,” says Lewis Walch, Kedel’s Customer Service Manager, “And it breeds a sense of personal responsibility that makes it natural to go the extra mile for a client.”

A Case Study: Ainsley Garden, Wilmot Street, London
The project organisers wanted to build large raised herb beds from Recycled Mixed Plastic Lumber.

“Kedel scrutinised our plans and offered all sorts of useful assistance. We’d definitely recommend them,” says Henry Dillon, one of the organizers. “We were really impressed with this tough, durable, maintenance free alternative to timber. And it really is wonderful material to work with.”

Practical Benefits
Recycled plastic will not rot, will need no paint or toxic preservative, is vandal and graffiti resistant, less flammable than wood and lasts at least 5 times longer.

It is more versatile than wood, lending its special properties to all kinds of new applications, as seen on the curved recycled plastic profile on this marina development in Leigh, Lancashire.

Ecological Benefits
About 30% of landfill is composed of plastic waste. No one knows how long it takes to break down. Scientists estimate hundreds of years.

The lack of plastic decomposition is a headache for landfill, but a terrific asset when you turn the same material into lumber or a park bench, where it saves both time and money.

Cost Benefits
It's a false economy to use tanalised timber instead of recycled plastic . A study clearly illustrating this was conducted on a recycled plastic walkway by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme).

Over a 25 year period 100 meters of walkway cost £1,300 in timber, but £370 in recycled plastic. The timber costs included maintenance after the first 2 years and replacement after 7, which would not be required with recycled plastic. This is typical, where these two materials are permanently outdoors at the mercy of the elements.

About the Company
The name ‘Kedel’ is derived from the names of its founders, Kieran, Dermot and Lewis Walch. Within weeks of the company launch two younger family members also joined the company, attracted by the company’s ecological principles, and bringing with them a perfect addition of complementary skills in industrial design and on-line marketing.

Conclusion
This really is a no-brainer. Architects, planners, landscapers and construction companies, who take full advantage of the maintenance free qualities of recycled plastic materials, will steal a march on those who don’t.

For quotes and bespoke projects
Contact: Dermot Walch
07913 862748
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