Vinyl is not a natural substance, but is a synthetic man-made material. It is a type of plastic that is made from ethylene (found in crude oil) and chlorine (found in regular salt). When processed, these substances are combined to form Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin, or Vinyl as it is commonly referred to. Vinyl is an incredibly eco-friendly material both because it is easily recycled, but also because it has a very long life span that eliminates the need for constant replacement. Furthermore, since 57% of vinyl is made from the renewable natural substance common salt, using it helps conserve nonrenewable resources. Our table & bench slats are vinyl wrapped around aluminum channel inserts.