Eco-Friendly Pool Furniture: Sustainable Choices for Your Outdoor Spac

So, you want your pool area to be a refuge of fun, relaxation, and style … but you want to take care of Mother Earth, too. Well, you're not alone. High-quality, eco-friendly pool furniture is becoming more and more common, and is being made by some of the most popular brands in the outdoor furniture biz. Mostly because sustainability is one of those issues that keeps pushing our industry forward¹.

That means for eco-conscious outdoor living folks like you, creating a sustainable pool experience doesn't mean sacrificing style or comfort. Designing your own eco-friendly pool area comes down to choosing the eco-friendly materials made by high-quality brands with sustainable manufacturing processes. And that's what we're covering today - transforming your pool space into an environmentally responsible retreat while maintaining the perfect pool atmosphere for relaxation.

Eco Friendly Pool Furniture - Sustainability Tips

Look for pool furniture made from sustainable materials - recycled plastic, composite wood, reclaimed wood, bamboo, etc
Check for certifications like FSC for wood to ensure responsible sourcing
Choose furniture with non-toxic, water-based finishes to reduce harmful emissions
Prioritize durability and weather-resistance so furniture lasts longer
Support brands that practice ethical manufacturing and fair labor standards

Frequently Asked Questions: Eco-Friendly Pool Furniture

Materials, finishes, durability, and ethics. Choose recycled or responsibly sourced materials, low-VOC/water-based finishes, long-lasting construction, and brands with ethical manufacturing. Longevity matters—keeping sets in service longer prevents landfill waste and reduces the need for constant replacement.

Recycled HDPE, composite wood, certified teak, bamboo, aluminum, reclaimed wood. Recycled HDPE is tough and low-maintenance. Composite wood (polylumber) blends recycled plastic with reclaimed fibers for a wood-like look. Certified-sustainable teak, bamboo, recycled aluminum, and reclaimed wood are strong contenders when sourced and finished responsibly.

It diverts waste and lasts decades with simple care. Post-consumer plastics are cleaned, reprocessed, and formed into furniture-grade lumber. It offers excellent weather resistance, easy soap-and-water upkeep, and can last 20+ years—significantly lowering environmental impact compared with virgin plastic.

Recycled plastic + reclaimed fibers, low-maintenance beauty. Polylumber combines recycled HDPE with reclaimed wood fibers, creating durable, wood-like pieces that resist moisture and fading. It diverts waste from landfills and oceans while delivering easy, long-term performance around the pool.

Look for FSC, Greenguard, and Fair Trade. FSC confirms responsible wood sourcing. Greenguard indicates low chemical emissions. Fair Trade signals fair wages and safe working conditions. Be skeptical of vague “natural/green” claims; third-party verification builds confidence.

Long-lasting pieces are the greenest choice. Invest in quality: powder-coated aluminum, UV-resistant recycled plastic, quick-dry cushion foam, and marine-grade hardware. Durable furniture stays out of landfills longer and reduces resource use over time.

Consider salt-water systems to reduce harsh additives. Salt systems convert salt into chlorine via electrolysis, reducing chemical handling, offering a gentler swim, and often extending equipment life with less frequent maintenance—an easy sustainability win alongside greener furniture choices.

With a little bit of savvy shopping, you can kick back on that sustainable chaise lounge and sip Mai Tais at an eco-friendly bar table … all while doing your part to make this planet of ours a touch more healthy.

Choosing Earth-Friendly Materials

You might be surprised to find all the different pool furniture materials that have sustainability benefits. I know I was. Recycled milk jugs? Reclaimed driftwood? Organic cotton cushions? I felt like I needed a PhD in environmental science just to pick out a pool chair. But that's why we're here today … to give you the low-down on what materials to look for.

Material	Durability	Maintenance	Cost	Environmental Impact
HDPE	High	Low	$$	Medium
Bamboo	Medium	Medium	$$	Low
Teak	Very High	High	$$$	Medium-High
Aluminum	High	Low	$$	Low (if recycled)
Reclaimed Wood	High	Medium-High	$$$	Low

Recycled Plastic: "Plastic" and "eco-friendly" never seemed like they could or should go together, but you'd be surprised how sustainable plastic can actually be. Keeping water bottles and milk jugs out of the ocean and turning them into stylish Adirondack chairs? Yes, please! So, how do you find plastic that has those sustainability creds? Start by looking for pool furniture made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE). There are different grades of HDPE that offer varying levels of durability, and the higher grade options usually boast better strength and weather resistance.

During the recycling process, all those plastics are sorted, cleaned, shredded, melted, and then reformed into furniture-grade material. Running post-consumer plastic through this process does use up a lot of energy, but it still results in a significantly lower environmental impact compared to producing new plastic. Plus, maintenance for recycled HDPE furniture is fairly easy. They usually don't need more than a simple, regular wipe-down with soap and water, and this stuff can last 20+ years.

Reclaimed Wood: this is a trend that's been around for... well, it seems like forever. Giving trees a break and going with furniture crafted from reclaimed wood just seems to always find its way into the industry. Bonus points if it's certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)... more on that below.

Certified Sustainable Teak: this one's tough, guys. Teak is a gorgeous and durable natural wood commonly used in luxury pool furniture. Unfortunately, it's gotten so popular that manufacturers can have a hard time sourcing truly certified sustainable materials. When it's done right, premium Grade certified-sustainable teak is a great option for your eco-friendly pool experience. Just talk with a trusted seller, so you know what you're getting.

Bamboo: not just for panda bears anymore. Bamboo has some serious sustainability chops. It grows fast and naturally resists pests (meaning less need for chemical sprays). On the other hand, you should watch out for potential eco-friendliness concerns like transportation emissions from Asian manufacturing centers, variable quality depending on species and processing methods, and the potential use of chemical treatments in some manufacturing processes.

Natural Fabrics: For cushions and upholstery, choose organic cotton, hemp, or recycled polyester. They're biodegradable and don't require toxic chemicals to produce.

POLYWOOD's Ocean Chair (available in a wide range of colors) is made from eco-friendly recycled HDPE.

The Magic of Composite Wood: Recycled HDPE Meets Reclaimed Wood Fibers

The more you learn about how recycled plastic and composite wood pool furniture, the more perfect it looks for your eco-friendly pool experience. Composite wood is also called polylumber, and it combines the durability and weather-resistance of recycled HDPE plastic with the natural beauty and texture of reclaimed wood fibers. I mean, you're kind of double-dipping into our list of great materials above, right? And by blending these two recycled materials, composite wood pool furniture diverts waste from landfills and oceans, at the same time reducing the demand for the (pretty planet un-friendly) production of new plastic resources.

And not only does composite boast a lower environmental impact, but it also offers the best of both worlds in terms of aesthetics and performance. You get a beautiful wood-like appearance and ultra-low maintenance! Luxury composite wood pool furniture is a great sustainable choice that doesn't compromise on style or functionality.

Eco-Friendly Pool Maintenance: Salt Water Systems

Eco-friendliness doesn't stop with your pool furniture. How you keep your pool water sparkling and clean can have a surprising impact on your local ecosystem, and more and more environmentally conscious homeowners are making the switch from traditional chlorine to salt water systems. If you haven't looked into these, you should.

Salt water pools work through a process called electrolysis to convert salt into chlorine, so you don't need to add harsh chemical additives. Not only does this reduce the amount of chlorine released into the environment, but it also creates a gentler, more natural swimming experience for you and your family. Plus, salt water systems require less frequent maintenance and can extend the life of your pool equipment. Call our friends over at Inyo Pools if you have any questions (they're the experts).

eco friendly pool

Decoding Eco-Labels and Certifications

You can check "learned all about sustainable pool furniture materials" off the list. But how can you be sure the company isn't just "greenwashing" with misleading marketing? Time to become an eco-label detective!

There's a wide variety of certifications that can prove a manufacturer's eco-friendliness, but here are some of the main ones you should look for:

FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council ensures wood comes from responsibly managed forests. According to the FSC's 2023 market report², FSC-certified outdoor furniture has seen a 47% increase in consumer demand over the past five years.
Greenguard: Furniture with this label has low chemical emissions for better air quality.
Fair Trade: This means the artisans who crafted your furniture were paid fair wages and provided safe working conditions.

It's good to be discerning. Just because a product says "natural" or "green" doesn't guarantee it's sustainable. Do your homework and look for trusted third-party certifications.

The Mayhew Loveseat Set by Berlin Gardens lasts for years and comes with a 20-year Residential warrantee.

Durability = Sustainability

One thing that many pool furniture buyer's overlook when it comes to sustainability is the value of durability. But hear me out on this one: the most sustainable choice is furniture that lasts.

Cheaply-made patio sets that fall apart after one season may seem like a bargain, but they'll end up in a landfill faster than you can say "margarita." I don't use the word "invest" lightly, and that's what you're doing when you pay more for a higher-quality, eco-friendly poolside furniture piece. Invest in high-quality pieces built to withstand sun, rain, and rowdy pool parties. The longer it looks and performs beautifully beside your pool, the longer it's staying out of landfills. Even better are the furniture pieces made with such high craftsmanship that you can easily resell it when you're finished with it.

You should look for durability features like:

Feature	Benefit
Powder-coated aluminum frames	Prevents rust and corrosion, withstands salt spray
UV-resistant recycled plastic	Resists fading and cracking from sun exposure
Quick-drying cushion foam	Prevents mold and mildew growth
Marine-grade hardware	Withstands chlorine and salt water exposure

Trust me, investing in durable furniture now means you won't have to replace it year after year. It's good for your wallet … it's good for our planet.

The District Dining Set by Harmonia Living is made from rugged, long-lasting High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

Brands Making a Splash in Sustainable Style

Alright, now we can get into the fun stuff—the eco-friendly eye candy! The Patio Productions team has put our heads together and drummed up a few luxury patio furniture brands that are diving headfirst into sustainable outdoor furniture design:

a photo of the Chippendale Chaise Lounge by POLYWOOD

POLYWOOD: From poolside chaise lounges to bar height tables, POLYWOOD crafts classic styles from recycled HDPE plastic. Their pieces are built to last a lifetime and come in every color under the sun. And they've developed their own fully-integrated, circular manufacturing process with a laser-focus on zero-waste. They recycle the milk jugs to create their own composite, put it all together in their factor, and even collect the spare pieces to cycle back into the process.

a photo of the HIP Club Chair by Seaside Casual

Seaside Casual: This brand's outdoor collection perfectly balances traditional design with modern, sustainable materials. Handcrafted to withstand the elements, from corrosive seaside air to extreme temperatures, Seaside Casual's furniture is easy to maintain and can be left outdoors season after season. As environmental stewards, they continuously strive to reduce waste, repurpose materials, and conserve energy in their state-of-the-art facility, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the outdoors just as much as we do today.

a photo of the Mayhew Adirondack Chair by Berlin Gardens

Berlin Gardens: Located in the heart of Amish Country, Berlin Gardens combines advanced machinery with traditional craftsmanship to create innovative, consistent, and high-quality outdoor furniture. Their commitment to customer service is just as strong as their commitment to creating eco-friendly patio pieces that simply ooze comfort.

All you have to do is keep these materials, tips, and brands in mind, and your own, unique eco-friendly poolside space will be ready in no time. As always, the Patio Productions team would love to answer any questions you have about luxury pool furniture. So take a spin around the site or stop by our San Diego showroom. We love meeting neighbors who enjoy bringing life outdoors!