Hagerstown Magazine - The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond

HM Home 08
Business: Milmar Plastics Breaks the Mold
Plastic Jugs and Old Tires Take on New, Greener Lives in Milmar Plastics, Inc.’s Earth-Friendly Products.

by Larissa Chace Smith + photos by Jason Turner

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Have you ever wondered what happens to the milk jug you put into your recycling bin? What if that thin, translucent container could become part of a sturdy deck or porch railing? Thanks to innovative companies such as Milmar Plastics, Inc. of Hagerstown, this kind of transformation is possible. With a third-generation history of making top-of-the-line plastics, Milmar has likewise been a vanguard for the environmentalist movement since Doug Henneberger took over the company in 1994.

Today, Doug and his employees — approximately six in total — demonstrate the level of artistry and convivial salesmanship that one would expect of a small business. Yet Milmar Plastics distributes internationally, shipping their plastics to countries including Puerto Rico, Mexico and England. From the National Museum of Art in New York City to the porch steps of Washington County residents, demand for the company’s well-crafted and durable products increases as environmental responsibility becomes more important to consumers.

From Trash to Trellis
Milmar Plastics’ merchandise runs the gamut from vinyl decking, faux wrought iron and bird feeders to stepping-stones and rubber mulch made from recycled tires. Most of Milmar’s furniture, decking and fencing is constructed out of poly-lumber, a virtually indestructible wood lumber substitute made from recycled containers such as milk jugs and shampoo bottles. Poly-lumber board forms are shipped to Milmar from Luxemburg, Wis.-based RENEW Plastics to be transformed into functional designs.

The plastic lumber is treated just like wood; it is cut and shaped using the same tools — and mortise and tenon joints —used to construct wooden furniture. Since it contains no wood, products made from this poly-lumber are extremely low-maintenance, durable, require only soap and water to clean, and are stain- and rot-resistant. The lumber’s environmental impact is equally as valuable — just one poly-lumber board can contain approximately one thousand milk jugs! As an added bonus, the poly-lumber itself is 100-percent recyclable and guaranteed not to leach harsh chemicals into the environment.

Milmar also warehouses pre-colored, pre-shredded bags of mulch made from non-toxic recycled tires. In addition to keeping old tires out of landfills, the rubber mulch can be a substantial money-saver for clients, as it won’t fade for 10 years. Brenda Beattie of Hagerstown purchased rubber mulch from Milmar this past June to put under her children’s play set. While the good price on bulk mulch and the chance to support a local business were strong factors in her decision to buy from Milmar, the durability and appearance of the mulch have proven her choice a wise one. “I love the rubber [mulch]. My kids are constantly jumping on it and falling down. It’s a much softer surface than regular mulch,” Brenda says. “It looks really nice, the color is real deep and dark — which is what I like — and it hasn’t faded in the sun.”

Paul and Paulette Sellers have found many uses for Milmar products at their home in Kearneysville, W.Va. Their front porch, back deck and roof trim have all been replaced with Milmar’s poly-lumber construction. They also own four Milmar rocking chairs, a double bench and several side tables, among other items. “You would never know, if you were standing at the street, that this is not wood,” Paulette says. “Looking at the house, it looks like normal construction until you get up close.”

Legacy and Innovation
As the third generation family owner of Milmar, Doug has been dedicated to helping the business grow and innovate. When he took the reins in 1994, he wanted to broaden the company’s approach to creating plastic products. After hearing about recycled plastic building materials, Doug tested the products on a house he owned. The durability and zero-maintenance aspect of the poly-lumber deck he installed were immediately noticeable. His commitment to testing his products’ quality continues today. Doug still tests every product design before allowing it into his inventory, and ceaselessly surveys the market for new products and designs to promote. With his design expertise and an in-shop computer router and engraver, clients can customize virtually anything they dream of. In fact, many of the company’s well-known designs — such as the poly-lumber chaise lounge — were created because of clients’ special requests. “If you can dream it, we can make it,” Doug says.

Need to Know …
Milmar Plastics, Inc.
21315 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown
301-739-5732
www.milmar.com