Landscaping Ideas Using Recycled Materials

Garden Paths

• Nowhere can recycled material be put to better use than the garden path. A simple bed of crushed brick or limestone is an cost effective, eco-friendly alternative to decorative landscaping pebbles. Create a new garden path by re-laying flagstones from another property, then filling in the spaces between the flagstones with crushed brick, crushed limestone or decomposed granite.

  Shredded wood laid about 2 inches thick and bordered with old railroad ties makes a natural-looking garden path, but it does break down with time and must be reapplied.

  Use old bricks recycled from construction or demolition sites as pavers to create attractive and durable paths and patios.

Raised Flower Beds

• Raised flower beds bordered with old railroad ties showcase flowering plants to full effect. Create a border of railroad ties and fill in the flower bed with organic planting material, preferably compost made from recycled lawn and organic food waste. If space allows, a two-tiered flower bed can be a dramatic addition to any landscape project.

  Small retaining walls for raised flower beds can also be constructed with recycled bricks or fieldstones.

Wooden Structures

• Many landscaping projects include wooden structures such as decks or fences. Wood/plastic composite lumber is made of recycled wood fibers and plastic and is an alternative to treated lumber for these applications. Composite lumber is weather resistant, water resistant and insect resistant.

Mulch Around Trees, Shrubs and Flowers

• Rubber mulch is created by shredding and grinding scrap tires into granules. This attractive and durable material looks great around shrubs, trees and flowerbeds. Rubber mulch does not attract insects, disintegrate or degrade, and allows water and nutrients in while discouraging weed growth. The initial cost of rubber mulch may be high but it is a one-time investment that, unlike cedar chips and some other organic mulches, does not require annual replacement.

  Crushed brick or limestone make a suitable top cover or mulch around plantings. Both materials allow moisture in and discourage weed growth and insects while adding interesting color to the area.

Edging

• Use bricks, stones, or composite material to edge flower and shrub beds. Edging keeps planting material in place and prevents invasive weeds or grass from entering the flowerbed.

Compost

• Compost is the ultimate recycled landscaping material. Made from organic yard and food waste, compost is a nutrient rich, environmentally friendly and renewable medium suitable for use with nearly all landscaping plants.