USING WASTE TIRES TO IMPROVE PLAYGROUND SAFETY Close-The-Loop by Ralph Nardone Used tires that sit in huge piles across Pennsylvania and litter our roadsides can become a resource according to one company based in Monroe County. And, with Pennsylvanians disposing 12 million tires a year, the company's management hopes they have a way to address the issue of what to do with waste tires while improving the safety of children around the globe. Close-the-Loop, LLC, in Kunkletown, sells a "rubber mulch" made from ground up tires that can cover the ground surface of playgrounds and offer a valuable shock absorber to break a child's fall. According to government research, shredded tires have twice the fall absorbing characteristics at a 6" depth than other materials commonly used such as wood, bark, sand or gravel. Most serious injuries of school-aged children result from falls onto hard surfaces. Close-the-Loop's managing partner, Rita Lacey feels there is a pressing need for her rubber mulch product. "Studies show 80% of public playgrounds are not adequately protected," she said. Many of this countries' school districts and day-cares should be interested in rubber mulch as they become aware of its safety characteristics. Lacey points out rubber mulch is more durable and economical that other playground surface materials as well. "It does not de-compose and drains well," she said. Most wood mulches have to be re-deposited every year, she said, whereas the rubber mulch lasts for many years. Close-the-loop's products include rubber mulch which is made from forklift tires and Play-turf which is made up of bias-ply tires. Both products passed testing at Penn State University for their ability to meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards. Lacey is concentrating on marketing over the Internet at this time. "We've made all of our sales in the first year without any formal advertising campaign," she said. She recently delved into international business because of queries she received from Israel and Russia. "There is a global need to protect children in playgrounds," she said. |
Lacey emphasizes the rubber mulch is also good for any private residence. Close-the-Loop also provides a formed solid rubber border for retaining the rubber mulch which is easy to install and a safer alternative than wood timbers. She charges $25.00 for each 100lb rubber border. Customer testimonials on www.close-the-loop.com include Kindergarten teachers who say they are experiencing "less band-aids, bruises, and brushburns." They also claim the children become more confident in the playground knowing after they have a shock absorber under them when the play. Lacey recommends when installing the rubber mulch that all exiting surface materials are removed from the playground area. Then a perimeter of the solid rubber borders should be placed at ground level to avoid the children tripping. A fabric landscape barrier should then be placed on the ground where the mulch will be put to stop weeds from growing through the mulch and allow rain water to drain through it as well. Finally, the rubber mulch should be raked into the area up to a 6" depth. In addition to the rubber mulch, Lacey sells a line of tire swings made from recycled tires. They come in the shape of a horse, elephant, motorcycle and others and also meet all safety standards with a 200 lb. weight capacity. Lacey is also working with plastic bottle recyclers and sells a line of scarves made from soda bottles. And, she sells purses from old used blue jeans. She started Close-the-Loop in October of 2000 from a dedication to preserving the environment and research into a productive use for household waste materials. |
