Environmental chemical impact of recycled plastic timbers used in the Tiffany Street Pier, South Bronx, New York

An assessment was made of the chemical environmental impact of a new pier constructed of recycled postconsumer waste plastic in the East River, New York City. The waste plastic consists principally of polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate. Plastic pilings are immune to the marine boring organisms that are destroying conventional wood structures. A variety of organic compounds and metal ions are leached from the plastic surface but in small quantities to produce river water concentrations far lower than those of compounds found to be already present. Many of the leached compounds seem to be characteristic of product residues in the plastic containers. In comparison, significant amounts of As, Cr, Cu, Mn and Se were leached from pressure-treated lumber, another material used in pier construction. In addition to its aesthetic and functional qualities, recycled plastic timber has the significant environmental advantage that it will not add appreciably to the pollutant load of the East River.