How to Create Sustainable Playground Equipment

Sustainability is more than a buzzword for the world today. It is a responsible choice that businesses, communities, and individuals want to make. As the conversations around the topic build momentum, everyone wants to make a difference.

The objective of these initiatives is to ensure that future generations have a clean and green planet to live and thrive on. Besides the businesses, public projects such as playgrounds are taking an onus to be more environmentally friendly.

Becoming Sustainable

Being sustainable should not be a mere choice. It is a necessity. It can shape our future and the very course of history.

If you are in a role of responsibility, you must understand the value of investing in sustainable playground equipment.

Here are some ways to create a better playground with sustainable structures.

Natural, Sustainable Wood

Wooden structures such as slides, swings, and benches are integral elements of play areas. The good thing is that you have several opportunities to embrace eco-friendliness with this natural material. Moreover, you can design the most durable, beautiful, rustic-looking equipment with wood.

Consider recycling wood from other projects as it saves trees from being cut for creating new structures. Additionally, fewer scraps will reach landfills when you reuse and recycle. But wooden structures can bear the brunt of exposure to the elements. Sealing them can prevent rot and keep them durable and beautiful for years.

Recycled plastic containers

Widespread use of plastic is perhaps the biggest concern for eco-conscious people, but thankfully, there are better alternatives. You can switch to commercial playground equipment crafted from recycled plastic containers such as milk jugs.

Surprisingly, the equipment created with the material is more durable than the traditional steel structures. It is made by cleaning, flattening, and shredding plastic jugs. The material is heated for bonding the plastic.

A coloring agent brings uniformity to the material, which is then crafted into a vibrant piece for playground installation. The durable pieces last forever, look attractive, and are safe for the children and the environment. There couldn’t be a better way to reduce the carbon footprint of your playground!

Recycled rubber

Besides repurposed wood and recycled plastic, you can opt for recycled rubber to create eco-friendly playground structures. It makes an excellent option for the play area surface by offering a safe place to land. Playground surfaces were traditionally made of sand, wood chips, or pea gravel.

Safety was a critical concern with these materials as they could cause slips and falls and injuries to little ones. Recycled rubber tires make a safer alternative as they provide a cushion for landing impact. The benefits of using the material extend beyond making the playground safer. It supports sustainability by reusing tons of waste rubber that would otherwise go into a landfill.

Why Do You Need Sustainable Playgrounds?

In today’s world, building playing spaces for your kid is not just about fun and games. There are so many complementary factors that one needs to understand before building sustainable playgrounds.

Therefore, understanding them is important. Hence, here is why you need sustainable playground equipment and design for your kids:

• Reducing Carbon Footprints: Choosing sustainable, recyclable and organic materials can actually help reduce carbon footprint.
• Safeguarding nature: Prioritizing green spaces and bringing them together can help your child understand the importance of green in their daily lives.
• Promoting a Healthy Balance: Sustainable playgrounds allow local flora and fauna to thrive. Therefore, they are the perfect confluence spot for nature and fun.  
• Economic Efficiency: Using sustainable raw materials can actually help you save costs over time. Therefore, sustainable playground designs can save money that can be used elsewhere.  

Benefits Of Sustainable Playgrounds

Sustainable playgrounds are not just for fun and aesthetics. Studies show that there are real and plausible benefits of sustainable playgrounds. Here are some of the most prominent  benefits of having sustainable playgrounds in your community:

• Fun: Playgrounds are meant to be primarily fun. These playgrounds allow people of all ages to come together and socialize. Therefore enhancing community bonding.
• Safe Play: Having a specific place for playing can avert many disasters. Therefore keeping the community safe.
• Bringing in Nature: An organic and sustainable playground will actually help kids understand the overall essence of nature and how it can be brought together.
• Eco-Friendly Engagement: Sustainable playground equipment and design allow many recycling opportunities. This is a great way of reducing overall carbon footprints and becoming more environmentally conscious.

What Makes A Good Sustainable Playground Design?

Making a playground or designing one sounds fun. All you need to do is build some hurdles or rides, and you will be safe. Right? Well, this is not the case. In fact, designing a good and sustainable playground actually comes with its own challenges.

Therefore, having some idea about how to proceed is very important. Here is a small rundown of things that you need to do to design a good, sustainable playground:

• Materials: Always go for recyclable materials that can be reused and recycled, like plastic, rubber, etc., because if the time comes, they can be used and reused.
• Natural elements: Consider including natural elements in your design language. This creates a unique aesthetic.
• Green spaces: Green spaces will allow children to interact and understand nature intimately.
• Solar Power: Solar-powered equipment is the best and most trusted sustainable playground equipment out there. They do not consume electricity and even allow communities to reduce overall running costs.
• Educational Signage: Place signs that can help kids identify the necessity and importance of recycling. This will be a fun way to teach kids and even shape the future for the better.

The Wrap!

A responsible approach to creating safe and eco-friendly play areas for the community can make a big difference. Embracing eco-friendliness is easier than you imagine, as there are several sustainable material options to explore for the best playground equipment.

They are safe, durable, and inexpensive, and you can go ahead with the installations without second thoughts. You can collaborate with a reputed manufacturer to buy such equipment and take the first step towards sustainability.

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