Short answer: a recycled plastic street bench usually runs about 15–30% more upfront than a basic powder-coated steel bench, but it can be cheaper than premium metal options like cast aluminum or stainless steel. For a typical 6-foot park bench, basic steel often lands between $350 and $650, while recycled plastic commonly ranges from $450 to $900. So the initial price gap is usually around $100–$300 per bench.
Before you decide based on that number alone, look at what you are actually comparing. A basic steel bench may have a powder-coated finish that looks good for a few years, but in sun, rain, salt, or heavy public use it can develop scratches, rust spots, and fading. Recycled plastic benches cost more initially because the material is thick, color-through, UV-stabilized, and often made from heavy recycled HDPE. It does not need painting, sealing, or rust treatment.
Maintenance changes the math. Metal benches in coastal, humid, or snow-heavy areas often need cleaning, rust treatment, repainting, or replacement hardware every few years. Over a 10-year life, that can add $200–$600 per bench in labor and materials. Recycled plastic mainly needs occasional washing. If you put a $150–$250 higher purchase price against lower maintenance, the recycled plastic bench often pays for itself in 3–5 years.
Installation costs are usually similar. Both need surface mounting or in-ground anchoring. Recycled plastic can be heavier than thin steel and may need two people for handling, but standard ground anchors work fine.
Metal is often the better buy when you need the lowest upfront cost, the bench will be in a covered or dry location, or you want a lightweight bench that is easy to move. If you need a premium architectural look, cast aluminum or stainless steel can be much more expensive than recycled plastic, sometimes running $1,000–$2,500 or more.
Recycled plastic is worth the extra in parks, school campuses, boardwalks, coastal walkways, and other high-use public spaces. It resists graffiti, salt, moisture, insects, and UV fading better than most coated metals.
Final rule of thumb: budget an extra 15–30% if you switch from standard steel to recycled plastic, but compare the 10-year cost. In many public settings, recycled plastic ends up cheaper overall.