Visqueen Building Products, the leading manufacturer of polythene products for the landscaping trade, has shown its support for the important work of the RNLI. The business - which is part of British Polythene Industries (BPI) plc - has donated a Plaswood bench to the new Exmouth lifeboat station.
An innovative alternative to wood, Plaswood is actually created from 100% recycled polythene. As such, it plays an important part in diverting waste from landfill and in keeping reusable polythene in circulation. Its use also helps to conserve the Earth's valuable and dwindling natural resources.
Further benefits to Plaswood include enormous flexibility. It can be used to create everything from fencing and decking to benches and waymarker signs.
Plaswood also offers all of wood's aesthetics but with none of the associated maintenance requirements. It is tough and durable, resistant to both vandals and insect attack, and does not require painting or rotproofing.
The donated Plaswood bench now enjoys a prime position overlooking the Exe estuary. Its donation coincides with the official completion of the state-of-the-art station, which was built to provide a number of advantages over its predecessor.
This includes the ability to house Exmouth's Mersey Class all-weather Lifeboat and a D-Class inshore lifeboat under one roof. Previously the two vessels were located at two separate sites making operational co-ordination, training and communication more difficult. Both lifeboats can now also be launched down a purpose-built ramp, meaning faster response times.
All the money required to undertake the new station's construction came from public donations and the fundraising efforts of RNLI supporters.
Commenting on the decision to donate the Plaswood bench, Cameron Yates, Product Manager at Visqueen Building Products, said: "As a business we are delighted to be supporting the new Exmouth lifeboat station. Every year, its volunteer crews do an invaluable job in keeping the local waterways and beaches safe, giving up significant amounts of their free time to help others in distress. Donating the bench was the very least we could do and we hope the entire team and the station's visitors get many years of happy use from it."
