Eco Play by Safe Play Systems
Safe Play Systems creates enticing recycled playgrounds, called Eco Play, that utilize post-consumer HDPE #2 plastic – milk jugs. Each playground is comprised of approximately 30,000 milk jugs. These PVC-free play environments are not only made from recycled materials, they are re-recyclable also. The company will buy back the playgrounds when they are no longer needed and recycle them in their entirety.
If you are looking to help your town, daycare (The Katy News), church, or school acquire a new play area for kids, this seems like a potentially great option. The sets are colorful or naturally hued, depending on the surroundings in which they will be placed. And let’s not forget, most importantly, they also look fun!
Safe Play educates consumers on the dangers of PVC, supplying information regarding the hazards created by perpetuating the use of toxic materials and allowing children to play amongst them. Also, as opposed to simply throwing money at carbon offsets, the company does its part to minimize waste and maximize resources. They feel strongly about walking the walk;
We have discussed carbon offsets and even though they have some merit, we see huge conglomerates, that have ravaged our environment for decades, hiding behind the carbon offsets that they purchase as a badge of honor while they continue to destroy the environment. When you really make a commitment to go green you start to see many options that make a difference.
In our factory all of the oil from trucks, fork lifts and extruders is recycled. We purchase recycled paper. Newspaper, magazines and scrap paper are recycled. All restrooms have recycled toilet paper products. New lighting was installed that increased the candle power by 15% but reduced our energy cost by 20%. We had to change out a motor on one of our extruders. The new motor has increased production by 20% yet decreased our electric usage by 40%. Pallets that we ship our playgrounds out on as well as the packaging materials (strapping, shrink wrap) are recycled.
We feel very strongly that our actions speak much louder than any offset we would spend our money on. Have you ever been to a green event where someone has been given an award for their giving, or maybe attended a charity auction where someone spent a huge amount of money, only to find them leaving in their gas guzzling Hummer. You glance inside and see the Styrofoam coffee cup and a candy wrapper falls out and they don’t bother to pick it up. Just because they feel guilty for the way they live, they give $$$. Money helps but with each of us doing our part we can make this a better place to live.
~Bill Orser, Director of Business Development for Safe Play Systems
