Sustainability and Precast Outdoor Decor: What You Need to Know

​Throughout the past few years, consumers have been increasingly more aware of the impacts of their purchases and making their choices more sustainable. “Fast-fashion” is a termed coined back in the 1990s but has recently gained more popularity. Fast-fashion is a clothing supply chain model designed to quickly adapt to the latest styles. However, in doing so, these cheaply made, trendy products forced an industry-wide movement towards overwhelming amounts of consumption. As such, having detrimental impacts on the environment and people producing these products, as well as consumers’ wallets.
​
When it comes to outdoor decor, the trend towards buying cheaper, mass-produced items can have a significant impact on the environment, like fast fashion. Mass production often relies on environmentally harmful practices, such as the use of non-biodegradable materials like plastic that can take hundreds of years to decompose. When these items are discarded, they contribute to the growing problem of plastic pollution. As such, the environmental impact of this kind of "fast decor" is not to be overlooked.

Add a touch of ancient Greek mythology to your outdoor space with this stunning 26-inch Atlas statue

​In the context of quick-turnover trends in outdoor decor, this issue is compounded, resulting in even more waste. As we cycle through trends, cheaply made decor items are quickly replaced with new ones, leading to a constant stream of waste that ends up in landfills or pollutes our oceans.

The disposable nature of fast decor also means that it ends up in landfills more quickly, further exacerbating our already overflowing waste problem. The carbon footprint of these items is also significant due to the long supply chain and transportation required to bring them to market.

Investing in high-quality outdoor decor made from sustainable materials is one of the ways we can reduce our environmental impact. Precast concrete is a durable and eco-friendly option for outdoor decor, with a low water to cement ratio. Concrete is made of three simple ingredients - sand, gravel, and cement. When these materials are combined and mixed with water, they form a robust crystalline matrix that bonds with the sand and gravel to produce concrete.

Unlike other commonly used construction materials, which are susceptible to rust, rot, and natural degradation when exposed to elements such as sunlight, moisture, or extreme weather, concrete retains its strength and durability. This means that outdoor decor items made from precast concrete, such as fountains or statues, can withstand the test of time and harsh outdoor conditions.

The durability of precast concrete also means that it requires minimal maintenance, which is good for both the environment and your wallet. Since precast concrete is not susceptible to decay or rot, there is no need to replace it frequently, reducing the amount of waste generated.
​
At Tarcova Precast, our products are made from natural cement, which has the potential to last generations. Our timeless pieces will remain in style for years to come. Beyond the product itself, we do everything that we can to minimize our impact on the environment, while still maintaining the highest quality product. Some of our initiatives include:

• Concrete additives to reduce our water consumption by up to 25%
• Recycling all concrete waste 
• Refurbishing wooden pallets to reuse them as long as possible.

 
Just like fast fashion, the production and consumption of mass-produced, disposable outdoor decor items have a significant environmental impact. By investing in high-quality, sustainable outdoor decor, we can make a difference and reduce our impact on the environment. At Tarcova Precast, we take sustainability seriously and are committed to minimizing our impact on the environment. We use eco-friendly production processes that ensure our products are made with the highest standards of sustainability in mind. Let's all do our part in creating a more sustainable world.