How We Embrace Sustainable Play Design and Why You Should To

When planning your next outdoor development or playground project, sustainability may not be one of your first concerns, but it should be! Having worked with developers for over 20 years, we know that your top priorities are safety, cost, and lifespan. Luckily for you, PlaySmart’s surfaces take all of these into consideration, with the additional benefit of sustainability.

So… Why Choose Sustainability?

Local authorities, schools, and private developments are embracing sustainable materials like recycled rubber chippings, natural cork materials, and hybrid grass mats with less plastic than typical artificial grass. One reason to use these eco-friendly materials is to improve the sustainability rating of your site. This is vital, especially in larger-scale developments, because funding and public support can depend on the eco-rating of the plan.

There are also additional benefits to choosing sustainability:

Creating a Unique Look

Playgrounds looking for a modern look are moving away from traditional flooring, towards surfacing that works with and embraces the surrounding environment and natural materials. Updating playgrounds with sustainable innovations in surfacing can revitalise any space with unique textures and colours that only come from using the right materials.

Saving Money in the Long-Term

Flooring that uses natural and recycled materials are engineered and manufactured for greater stability and longevity. Replacing and refurbishing outdoor surfaces can be an expensive and time-consuming process, including choosing the right material to sizing and planning, and then installation and upkeep. With longer-lasting materials, you won’t need to worry about replacing your surfaces for years to come. Especially with PlaySmart’s installation and product guarantees, you can be assured that that smart investment in your surfacing will reduce the potential reinstallation costs in the future.

Recycled Rubber Playgrounds with Improved Safety Ratings

Because of our use of recycled rubber in our EcoSmart grass mats, these surfaces undergo greater safety checks and precautions than other alternatives. We use recycled truck tyres that are ground up and checked for contaminants and impurities, avoiding the risk of users and improving the longevity and structural integrity of the mats.

Rubber materials have a natural shock absorbency, but in EcoSmart, this is enhanced with smart engineering for greater strength and safety. At 13.5kg, our mats are heavier than competitors, improving stability with design rather than bulking out with other materials. Thicker walls between the honeycomb structure holes prevent ripping and the depth of the mats help it achieve 2m fall height protection.

The unique blend of recycled, reclaimed and natural rubber allows of these mats to use more material for greater weight and depth at a lower price point than many competitors. Discover greater quality with improved safety standards suitable for any outdoor development with EcoSmart recycled rubber playground mats.

Cork Surfacing with Natural Benefits

Cork is a unique material that is growing more and more popular in outdoor developments, particularly for walkways, pathways and shared areas in public parks. As a natural, renewable resource, many eco-conscious councils and private developers choose Corkeen. Additionally, because we source the cork flooring materials from development leader, Amorim, it has achieved a negative carbon balance.

The natural texture of cork surfacing provides excellent grip for all visitors to the site. The flat, slip-resistant surface is fully accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. Also, due to a high level of water absorbency, Corkeen even reduces the risk of slips in wet conditions.

Due to the 2-layer installation of the surface, Corkeen offers fall protection as well as extra durability. The lower layer has extra depth and looser granules to improve on the natural shock-absorbency of cork, while the upper layer creates a harder surface for added stability and smoothly textured appearance.

Therefore, all Corkeen surfaces are long-lasting and resistant to wear-and-tear. Additionally, these cork surfaces are recyclable. This means that when they eventually need replacing, there is less waste produced, maintaining a positive sustainable impact.

Hybrid Grass for Lawns of Any Size

Play-fields and lawns can be difficult to keep healthy and green with all of the footfall that public spaces get over time in addition to the impacts of weather on natural soil and grass. Rather than just replacing yellowing, patchy grass with a pure artificial grass, many developments are choosing a more sustainable alternative: Hybrid Grass.

Our hybrid grass mats act as a reinforcement for natural lawns rather than a replacement. The netted backing of the hybrid grass rolls allows natural grass growth while also protecting the soil below. Hybrid grass systems prevent soil degradation and helps facilitate the circulation of water into the ground soil without flooding, boggy ground or puddling.

Hybrid grass therefore creates the look of a consistent lawn while helping grass to grow and thrive, all with less plastic than artificial grass, with sparser synthetic blades to not overcrowd natural grass and the use of biodegradable materials where possible.

Ask Our Experts About How You Can Improve the Sustainability of Your Outdoor Developments.

Get in touch and discuss your options by booking a call or get your Free Quick Quote with our handy contact form on our contact page.