Safety, Performance & Reliability
Health Safety:
- Over 100 scientific studies, including peer-reviewed academic analyses and government reports, have consistently found no significant health risk - providing definitive evidence of safety [Source: Recycled Rubber Health & Safety Explainer]
- The landmark 2024 EPA/CDC/CPSC study showed identical chemical exposure levels between surfaces using recycled rubber and grass, definitively addressing previous health concerns [Source: EPA Report One-Pager]
- European and Dutch studies found exposure risks "virtually negligible," with chemical levels well below even stringent toy safety standards - demonstrating safety even for young children [Source: ECHA News, Dutch Body Clears Turf Infill]
Impact Safety:
Safe and durable surface that prevents injuries:
- 225% safer for falls on playgrounds compared to traditional surfaces [Source: Playground Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- Maintains consistent shock absorption throughout its lifespan, unlike wood chips which can compact and lose up to 75% of their protective qualities within 2 years [Source: Playground Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
Weather Performance:
Reliable surface for year-round use and accessibility:
- Dries up to 8x faster after rain compared to grass [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- 6.67x more annual usage, as it remains playable in conditions that would close grass fields (2,300 hours vs 300 hours) [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- Consistent surface quality across all temperatures, eliminates 30-40% of weather downtime compared to grass fields that are too wet or muddy for safe play. [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
Longevity and Durability:
Superior longevity and utilization compared to grass:
- 400-500% longer lifespan (10-15 years vs 2-3 years for alternatives) [Source: Playground Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- 667% more annual usage hours (2,300 vs 300) enables more community programming [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- 90% reduction in weather-related closures compared to grass [Source: Recycled Rubber Primer]
Environmental Impact
Substantial environmental benefits:
Waste Reduction:
- Diverts 220+ million tires annually from landfills - equivalent to one tire for every three Americans [Source: Why Recycle Rubber Coalition]
- 79% of tires are now recycled, representing a 95% improvement from the 1990s and increasing the potential for second-life use [Source: USTMA End of Life Tire Management Report]
Resource Conservation:
- Saves 50,000+ gallons of water weekly per field - the water savings per field is equal to the annual water needs of 5 average American households [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- Each field eliminates most need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, preventing up to 1,000 pounds of chemicals from entering soil and groundwater annually [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- Carbon footprint reduction of up to 95% compared to virgin materials (20x smaller footprint) [Source: Recycled Rubber Infographics]
Economic Benefits & Cost Comparisons
Material Impact:
- $2.47 billion annual economic activity supports 8,500 American jobs [Source: Recycled Rubber Industry Report]
- Generates $682 million in wages and tax revenue, supporting local community development [Source: Recycled Rubber Infographics]
Maintenance Savings:
- 75% reduction in maintenance costs ($40,000+ vs $10,000) [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- 100% reduction in irrigation costs (500,000-1,000,000 gallons saved) [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
- 100% reduction in chemical treatment costs [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
Playground Cost Comparison (60x60-foot Playground, 20-year analysis):
- Wood chips: $64,800-$97,200
- Poured rubber: $64,800-$79,200
- Result: Up to 18% cost savings while providing superior performance [Source: Playground Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
Field Cost Efficiency (20-year analysis):
- Grass: $105-$140 per hr of use
- Turf: $42 per hour of use
- Result: 60-70% reduction in cost per hour of actual use [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
Community Benefits
The impact extends beyond just cost savings:
- Year-round availability increases community access by up to 900% [Source: Recycled Rubber Messaging Playbook]
- Enables a utilization rate up to 10 times higher than traditional surfaces [Source: Field Cost Comparison Consumer Guide]
Community-wide Applications
Recycled rubber's versatility provides benefits across many sectors:
- Recreation: Enables year-round play and community programming
- Education: Provides sustainable, reliable outdoor spaces for physical activity
- Community: Creates year-round gathering points
- Facilities: Reduces fatigue through better shock absorption
- Infrastructure: Extends road and sidewalk lifespans
