The short answer? For a typical 4–6 ft urban bench, recycled plastic tends to cost roughly $100–$300 less upfront than concrete. A basic recycled plastic bench might land between $350 and $900, while a comparable precast concrete bench usually falls between $450 and $1,200. But the real installed price depends on shipping, site access, installation labor, and the design details you choose.
Why the price gap isn’t always simple: concrete is heavy. A solid precast bench can weigh several hundred pounds, so freight and handling often add 15–30% to the project cost. You may need a lift or extra crew members, especially if benches are going into a pedestrian-only area or a rooftop. Recycled plastic is much lighter, so delivery is cheaper and installation is usually faster.
Concrete’s upfront price also rises quickly with architectural finishes, custom forms, integral color, or exposed aggregate. Recycled plastic can increase with premium colors, backing styles, or heavier frames, but it usually stays more predictable from quote to quote.
Maintenance changes the math over time. Recycled plastic won’t rot, splinter, or need painting. Most cleaning is just soap and water or light pressure washing. Concrete is durable but can crack, chip, stain, or collect moss in damp climates. Repairs are possible, but they aren’t always cheap. Over a 10–15 year lifecycle, recycled plastic often becomes the lower total cost option.
So if you’re comparing base prices only, recycled plastic usually wins by a small margin. If you compare total installed and maintenance costs over the life of the bench, that margin often widens. Choose concrete when you want a massive, anchored civic look. Choose recycled plastic when lower lifetime maintenance, easier installation, and sustainability matter more.