Broad numbers aside, a question facing many governments and synthetic deck materialsconsumers is whether ipê in particular is being managed sustainably. Some ipê is certified by organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council, but the overall production data are uncertain. “Is the use of ipê sustainable? No one wood plastic composites salesreally knows,” Bowyer says. “We are kind of operating in the dark.” At Coney Island, many residents are fighting to protect the signature wooden boardwalk, and the city has acknowledged the historical significance of natural wood in some locations. On a recent weekend, construction crews outdoor composite wood furniturewere busy replacing small sections of boardwalk near the Steeplechase Pier — with fresh.