Summer is the season for spending more time outdoors, whether that means morning coffee on the patio, backyard dinners with friends, or simply finding a quiet place to unwind after a long day. It’s also a popular time for home projects, from refreshing outdoor furniture and landscaping to making bigger upgrades that improve how we use our spaces.
For this week’s 5 Faves, we’re highlighting companies that bring a thoughtful approach to outdoor living. From recycled materials and water-wise landscaping to renewable energy and products designed to last, these brands show how summer projects can create spaces that are better for both people and the planet.
1. Loll Designs
Loll Designs creates modern outdoor furniture, including Adirondack chairs, dining sets, lounge seating, and planters, using recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sourced primarily from single-use milk jugs. Manufactured in Duluth, Minnesota, the company’s all-weather furniture is designed for long-term durability, requiring little maintenance while resisting moisture, fading, splintering, and rot.
Sustainability has been central to Loll Designs since its founding. The company has recycled more than 135 million milk jugs into outdoor furniture and ensures that all of its HDPE products are fully recyclable at the end of their life through a material reutilization program. Loll recycles more than 88% of its manufacturing waste, has earned TRUE Gold certification for diverting 97.4% of waste from landfills, and manufactures its furniture in the U.S. using primarily domestic materials to reduce transportation impacts. The company also holds Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze certification for its HDPE products and has been a member of 1% for the Planet since 2008, donating a portion of sales from its Lollygagger Collection to environmental organizations.
2. Trex
Trex creates composite decking, railing, and outdoor living products made primarily from recycled materials, including plastic film and reclaimed wood. Its decking contains 95% recycled and reclaimed materials, including plastic film from items like grocery bags and reclaimed wood from sawdust and pallets that would otherwise be sent to landfills. The company’s decking is designed to last longer than traditional wood while requiring less maintenance over its lifespan.
Trex has diverted more than one billion pounds of waste from landfills through its recycling efforts and operates one of the largest plastic film recycling programs in North America. The company publishes an annual Sustainability Report outlining progress on areas including emissions, waste reduction, water use, and responsible sourcing. Trex products also carry third-party certifications, including recycled content certifications and environmental product declarations that provide transparency into material composition and environmental impacts.
3. High Country Gardens
High Country Gardens helps homeowners create more sustainable landscapes with water-wise plants, pollinator-friendly gardens, and drought-tolerant perennials. The company offers a wide range of plants selected for different growing conditions, as well as pre-planned garden collections to help homeowners create landscapes that require less water and maintenance once established.
High Country Gardens’ approach centers on creating landscapes that support biodiversity while reducing resource needs. The company also maintains a commitment to pollinator health, including ensuring its perennials and wildflower seeds are neonicotinoid-free.
4. EarthMinded
EarthMinded creates rain barrels and rainwater collection systems that help homeowners capture and reuse water from their properties. Their products are designed to collect rainwater from rooftops and store it for outdoor uses like watering gardens, landscaping, and other non-potable needs, helping reduce reliance on municipal water for everyday yard care.
The company focuses on making rainwater harvesting more accessible through a range of residential solutions, including rain barrels made from recycled materials. By capturing rainwater before it becomes runoff, homeowners can help conserve water, reduce strain on stormwater systems, and make their outdoor spaces more resilient during dry periods.
5. LUTEC Solar
LUTEC Solar creates outdoor lighting designed to make pathways, gardens, and patios more inviting while using the power of the sun. Their solar-powered pathway lights and landscape fixtures collect energy during the day and illuminate outdoor spaces after dark, offering a simple way to add ambiance without running additional electrical wiring or increasing household energy use.
The company’s LED solar lights are designed for outdoor durability, with features like weather-resistant construction and automatic dusk-to-dawn operation. For homeowners looking to create a more sustainable outdoor space, solar lighting is a practical way to bringing a small-scale renewable energy solution into everyday outdoor spaces.
Creating a more sustainable outdoor space doesn’t have to mean tackling one major renovation all at once. From choosing durable materials to rethinking how we use water and energy, small decisions can shape outdoor spaces that are more functional, enjoyable, and mindful of the environment..
For additional tips on creating a more sustainable landscape, check out the EPA’s WaterSense guide to water-smart landscaping.