Recycled Plastic and the Future of Playground Equipment

A trend over the past decade in playgroundthat cities and counties pay every year. While
design and construction is the use of recycledrecycled plastic equipment costs more up front
plastic playground equipment. This type ofthan that made of wood, when the costs of
equipment uses plastic recycled from waste suchmaintenance and replacement are factored in,
as bottles, and can be made to look like woodover the lifetime of the equipment, recycled
finish, or can be brightly colored. One averageplastic can cost less than wood. Additionally, plastic
recycled playground structure uses nearly 25,000equipment can be recycled again when it is no
recycled plastic containers. Manufacturers oflonger needed.
recycled plastic playground equipment tout theIn the fall of 2007, Columbia University students
equipment's sturdiness and low maintenancepresented a proposal for upgrading parks and
needs, and playgrounds all over America haveplaygrounds in New York City to use more
listened. Here are some examples of types ofrecycled products. Recycled plastic played the
playground structures and the equivalent numberbiggest role in the upgrades. Other recycled
of plastic milk jugs that go into making them.materials included surfaces made of recycled
Small, double slide structure - 6,185 milk containersrubber tires, fences made from recycled steel,
Single tower climbing structure - 22,139 milkand trash containers made from recycled
containersaluminum. The proposal ended with suggestions
Small climbing structure with one slide - 8,506 milkfor what to do with the outdated equipment that
containerswas no longer needed. In many cases, equipment
Double tower climbing castle - 14,471 milkcan be dismantled, sorted by content, and sold or
containersdonated to scrap recyclers. Only as a last resort
Large castle with platform and climbing structure -would incineration be needed.
55,760 milk containersSeattle is another major American city that has
Recycled plastic materials can replace concrete,strived to use recycled products in upgrading the
wood, and metal structures on playgrounds, andcity's parks and playgrounds. In addition to
are constructed around an inner steel core forupgrading with recycled play equipment, Seattle
strength and durability. The plastics used rangeused recycled plastics to replace bench slats and
from products containing 25% recycled materialstrash bin liners. Since 1997, Seattle's Parks Division
to 100% recycled materials. In addition to playhas been using playground apparatus made from
equipment, recycled plastics are commonly maderecycled plastic, steel, and aluminum, and has also
into park benches, picnic tables, walkways,installed recycled plastic picnic tables in place of
decking, bridges, and landscaping borders.deteriorating wood picnic tables.
Recycled plastic lumber and playground equipmentPlaygrounds across the country are making use
is reported to last longer than wood and also hasof recycled plastic playground equipment and
the following advantages over wood equipment:recycled plastic lumber to create kid-friendly,
1. It resists moisture, insects, and bacteriasturdy structures that keep plastics out of landfills.
2. It is resistant to graffiti and vandalismPlastic equipment and lumber can be made to look
3. It does not have splinterslike wood, or can be made in a variety of bright
4. It needs no sealants or preservativescolors. When the equipment has reached the end
5. It can be curved and shapedof its useful life, it can then be recycled again.
6. It is virtually maintenance free.That is yet another advantage to cities and
Besides the direct benefit to communities andschools wanting to minimize their environmental
children who use playground equipment, recycledfootprint while giving children a safe, fun place to
plastic playground equipment diverts plastic wasteplay.
from landfills, thus indirectly cutting the landfill fees