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How to Use Recycled Plastic in Children's Playgrounds

Maintaining an eco-friendly and green living lifestyle can be accomplished through various means. Even an outdoor children's playground can be transformed in to a more environmentally friendly area by opting for or switching to recycled materials throughout. From small-scale backyard jungle gyms to large-scale community playgrounds, recycled material items can be found in an assortment of styles.

Things You'll Need

  • Drawing of playground area
  • Digital camera or photos of all current equipment
  • Measurements of all equipment
  • Budget
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Instructions

    • 1

      Walk through the playground area with the drawing. Take notes regarding items contained in the playground. Take measurements to verify the sizes of all items possibly being replaced or added. For example, if the playground has a swing set, measure the width and height of the swing set, plus count how many swing seats are used and the size of the seats. If no swing set exists and you are considering adding one, take a measurement of the area available for a swing set. Make notes extensive, thorough and legible.

    • 2

      Use recycled plastic trash cans throughout the playground area. One way to keep a children's playground clean is to have both trash cans and recycling bins available throughout the property. Using eco-friendly containers made of recycled plastic is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

    • 3

      Replace the seats on swing sets with seats made from recycled plastic. Use your notes regarding swing set seat size to order the correct size of seat. Choose from available colors and styles available for the size you require.

    • 4

      Change the slide on a sliding board, opting for a recycled plastic version. If you do not already have a slide, consider adding one made entirely out of recycled plastic, including both the climbing section and the slide itself.

    • 5

      Add picnic tables, benches and chairs along the perimeter of the playground to allow for sitting, resting, lunching and snacking. Recycled plastic picnic tables and benches are available in an assortment of colors and styles.

    • 6

      Change the sand box to one made out of recycled plastic. If you do not have a sand box in your playground, consider installing one made from recycled materials.

    • 7

      Use recycled plastic material to replace mulch, grass or concrete surfaces of the playground. Recycled material coverings, especially those made from softer plastics, can provide cushioning to the ground to help absorb shock waves upon impact.

    • 8

      Look into jungle gyms and climbing structures made out of recycled plastic. These are safer and more eco-friendly options compared to metal versions. Plastic equipment also won't rust over time.

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