Our team at adventureTURF takes the responsibility of ensuring a safe environment for children to play and explore very seriously. The right surfacing material is critical for playground safety to cushion falls and allow children to play freely without the risk of serious injuries. However, our care for children goes beyond protection from bumps and bruises on the playground. We want to leave a clean and healthy planet for our children to enjoy for generations to come. As part of this mission, adventureTURF uses materials made from recycled rubber in our safety surfacing.
Our journey to selecting the perfect rubber granules for our playground surfacing began with an exhaustive and thorough research process. The end goal was to find a supplier that aligns with our high standards for quality and stands firm on its principles of sustainability. Read on to learn more about how adventureTURF turns recycled tires into incredible fun!
About American Recycling Center
When we choose a supplier for adventureTURF’s recycled rubber surfacing, quality, consistency, and environmental responsibility are our guiding factors. We currently partner with the American Recycling Center, a recognized leader in the rubber recycling industry.
American Recycling Center’s high-quality recycled rubber is optimal for sports surfaces, playgrounds, equestrian arenas, and more. The rubber granules offered are pure and free of contaminants. Together with an approved binder, the resulting surface can withstand heavy use and weather elements.
Over the last decades, American Recycling Center has processed millions of pounds of industrial scrap rubber annually. Harnessing scrap rubber from an array of suppliers, the company refines, blends, and recycles the material into a premium mix. The result is an eco-friendly alternative to landfills and a cost-effective solution for customers.
In addition to the recycled black rubber granules, the center offers a 100% virgin-material rubber line in many colors. Their product range is further extended to include aromatic and aliphatic binders, buffings, and color granules, catering to any size of pour-in-place playground installation.
How Rubber Recycling Works
Tire recycling isn’t just about discarding old, unusable tires. It’s about transforming waste into valuable materials that can be used to create new products like adventureTURF’s poured rubber safety surfacing. For more insight into the fascinating process of turning tires into playgrounds, take a look at this video from Insider Tech that shows the whole process in detail.
Tire Collection
The process starts with the collection of rubber tires. They can be gathered from landfills or directly from consumers who send their old tires to recycling centers.
Shredding
The collected tires then undergo a shredding process, where they’re broken down into smaller, manageable chunks. They can either undergo a mechanical system where they’re shredded at room temperature or a cryogenic system that cools the tire to extreme temperatures before grounding it.
Sorting
After shredding, the next step involves sorting. During this phase, steel and textile fibers are removed from the shredded rubber using magnets and a complex system involving shaking screens, low vacuum suction, and wind sifters. Screening follows, where the rubber is examined to ensure no steel remains, any unwanted substances are eliminated, and larger pieces of rubber are further reduced.
Cleaning
At the cleaning stage, the screened rubber is thoroughly cleaned using water and cleaning agents to produce the final product, which is then packaged and transported to factories that use it as raw material, such as manufacturers of playground surfacing like adventureTURF.
What To Look for in Eco-Friendly Options
Just because floors are advertised with a “green” label doesn’t mean they are the best option for your play area. Here are a few ways to be sure you’re truly making a sustainable choice:
Certification and Standards
Make sure your flooring meets criteria set by respected environmental organizations. Products with LEED certifications from the US Green Building Council are good indicators of an environmentally responsible choice. Our recycled rubber products at adventureTURF are LEED-compliant.
Manufacturing Processes
Research the manufacturer for detailed information about how the recycled rubber was sourced and processed. The goal is to choose products that have the least environmental impact during the tire’s entire life cycle.
Safety Standards
Just because surfacing is environmentally friendly doesn’t mean it is safe for playgrounds. A key feature of adventureTURF’s recycled rubber surfacing is that it meets ASTM safety standards.
Accessibility
Some “green” playground surfacing options, such as sand, wood mulch, or recycled rubber mulch, are not ADA-accessible. Our poured-in-place rubber surfacing and rubber tiles are wheelchair accessible per ADA regulations.
Poured in Place Versus Rubber Tiles
adventureTURF offers several recycled rubber surfacing options. Poured-in-place rubber offers a seamless surface and is often the preserve of professional installation. On the other hand, rubber tiles provide a DIY-friendly, interlocking option perfect for those looking to keep things in-house. Whichever the preference, the benefit of low maintenance costs endures.
Recycled Poured Rubber Surfacing
For those seeking a seamless and professional look, recycled poured rubber surfacing is an excellent option. It’s made from a combination of recycled rubber and a polyurethane binder, offering a cushioned, non-slip finish that is also wheelchair accessible.
Installation and Durability
While the initial cost and installation process may be higher, the durability of poured rubber surfaces can’t be beaten – they can often last up to 10 years with minimal maintenance. This is particularly cost-effective in the long run, outlasting traditional options significantly.
Customization and Design
One of the standout features of poured rubber is its flexibility in design. adventureTURF offers many color options to allow for the creation of unique playground surfaces with games or logos.
Recycled Rubber Floor Tiles
For those looking for a more modular and faster solution, recycled rubber tiles are a pragmatic choice. These tiles offer easy installation and the ability to replace individual pieces if needed, while still maintaining a cohesive look.
Quick Installation and Use
The interlocking nature of these tiles provides an almost immediate play-ready surface. Since they’re usually DIY installed, the entire process is simplified, speeding up the time it takes to get kids back on the playground.
Shock Absorption and Safety
While many indoor play areas choose carpet for cushioning, rubber tiles are a better choice for safety. Rubber tiles are known for their excellent impact absorption, which reduces the risk of injury from falls.
What is Eco-Friendly Flooring Made of?
Understanding what goes into making eco-friendly playground flooring is important. Here are the core elements that make up recycled rubber surfaces.
The Rubber Source
Typically, recycled rubber playground flooring is made from old tires and other rubber products that have been repurposed. This gives these tires a second life and reduces the need for new, not to mention the environmental waste.
Polyurethane and Binders
These materials play a critical role in the bonding process of the rubber, creating a robust surface. They’re also crucial for retaining the material’s elastic properties, contributing to safety.
Colorants and Preservatives
It’s worth noting that the colorants and preservatives used are designed to be as eco-friendly as the rubber itself, ensuring the entire product is safe for children and the environment alike.
Benefits of Recycled Rubber Flooring
The transition to recycled rubber playground flooring has an array of advantages, from eco-conscious to practical.
Durability and Lifespan
Recycled rubber flooring can handle the toughest play traffic and inclement weather. Its longevity alone makes it an appealing choice for environments that need to endure constant use and remain open year-round.
Easy Maintenance
Unlike traditional playground flooring, rubber surfaces are a breeze to clean. A simple sweep or hose down is often all that’s needed, making them a low-maintenance solution for busy settings.
Environmental Benefits
By using recycled materials, these surfaces help to minimize waste and the associated environmental harms. They’re a tangible example of the circular economy in action – taking a product at the end of its current life and giving it new purpose.
Safety and Comfort
The shock-absorbing qualities of rubber playground flooring are a significant safety feature. They reduce the severity of injuries from falls, making the playground a safer place for children to learn and play.
Eco-Impact of Recycled Rubber Flooring
Just how much does choosing recycled rubber play a part in environmental conservation? Understanding the impact your choices make can be enlightening.
Waste Reduction
The EPA states that about 290 million scrap tires are generated in the U.S. annually. Using recycled rubber flooring helps to curb the volume of tires that could end up in landfills or be incinerated, processes which have their own environmental downsides.
Energy Efficiency
The manufacturing of recycled rubber flooring requires less energy than creating new rubber products. By extension, this means lower overall carbon emissions, further contributing to a healthier planet.
Water Preservation
The production of recycled rubber flooring uses less water than that of virgin rubber products. In a world facing an increasingly dire water crisis, this is a welcome conservation practice.
Pollution Prevention
Every tire that’s recycled into a playground floor is one less item contributing to the harmful pollutants found in shredded tire material. It’s a small step in ameliorating the effects of pollution on our environment.
Recycled Rubber Flooring FAQ’s
Here are some of the most common questions we hear about our recycled rubber flooring:
Is rubber flooring environmentally friendly?
Yes, rubber flooring is indeed environmentally friendly. Made from organic and synthetic rubber, it leverages the benefits of a renewable and biodegradable material that decomposes over time. The production of rubber flooring also promotes recycling, transforming items like truck tires into sustainable flooring solutions. This recycling process significantly reduces landfill waste and decreases the overall carbon footprint. In turn, this cuts down on the harvesting and new production of rubber, positively impacting our energy use. Furthermore, ongoing improvements in science, technology, and economic factors continue to drive the production of more sustainable rubber products. Thus, choosing rubber flooring is a step towards a greener and more sustainable environment.
What is recycled flooring?
Recycled rubber flooring is a versatile and eco-friendly flooring solution that encompasses durability and sustainability. Our poured rubber and rubber tiles are crafted using recycled rubber, which is processed from used or discarded rubber products like tires, conveyor belts, and rubber hoses. Recycled rubber flooring is easy to install and offers a myriad of benefits, making it an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.
What is an eco-friendly playground?
An eco-friendly playground is a modern and sustainable approach to play spaces that places equal emphasis on safety, aesthetics, and environmental conservation. Responding to the growing concerns about climate change, these playgrounds aim to reduce the carbon footprint of our recreational activities.
Instead of relying on processes that damage the environment (like re-painting and soldering old equipment), eco-friendly playgrounds use recycled, non-toxic materials. This includes playground surfacing made from recycled rubber and equipment crafted from post-consumer aluminum, plastic, and wood.
What is LEED flooring?
LEED-certified rubber flooring is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice that can contribute to your overall LEED certification for your construction project. Operated by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification is a program that promotes green and environmentally friendly building design and construction, including flooring choices. Many rubber flooring products, like those available at AdventureTurf, are LEED certified, often crafted from recycled rubber tires. Therefore, by choosing LEED playground surfacing, you’re making an environmentally conscious decision and giving the used rubber a new life. Plus, these products can often be recycled at the end of their lifespan, further contributing to the culture of sustainability.
How long does recycled rubber flooring last?
With proper maintenance, recycled poured-in-place rubber surfacing and recycled rubber tiles can last as long as 12-15 years. Please see our product warranty for more information.
Protect Our Earth And Our Children With Safety Surfacing From adventureTURF!
Eco-friendly playground flooring isn’t just for hippies anymore; it’s a step towards a greener, more sustainable world for all of us. From the rubber’s first life as a tire to its final place under the swings, each stage of the flooring’s life cycle is a part of our efforts toward environmental responsibility. By turning to recycled rubber options, playgrounds can provide a safe, vibrant space for children to thrive, all while teaching the valuable lesson of repurposing materials for good.
When you choose adventureTURF, you know you’re getting a safe, durable, and sustainable product. Contact us today to see why school administrators, daycare centers, park departments, and community members all over the nation trust us for their playground flooring solutions.
