Story and images by Roselyn Fauth
ABOVE: CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth with daughters Medinella 8 and Annabelle 4 visited the new recycling plant to see the old rubber go through the recycling process.
The Caroline Bay Playground construction got underway in March 2023, and saw the removal of equipment and surfacing to clear the site for the earthworks to commence in April.
The old rubber playground tiles, which had been in use for many years at Caroline Bay Playground, were removed, tested and then sent an hour down the road to be recycled. Now truckloads of the old rubber surfacing can skip the tip and be recycled at the Numat recycling plant in Oamaru.
- Caroline Bay Playground construction began in March 2023, clearing the site for earthworks in April.
- Old rubber from the playground was recycled at Numat's Oamaru recycling plant.
- Rubber was shredded and ground into granules, reused in the base of the safety surfaces.
- 400m² of the matting was removed from the Timaru playground, and about 2500m² was being put down.
- CPlay chose recycling for budget and eco-friendliness, aligning with playground's environmental focus.
- Playground's play surface investment prioritizes safety, sustainability, and accessibility.
- Numat's Pour’n’Play® product, 100% recycled rubber, was selected for the surface.
- CPlay volunteer, Francine Spencer emphasized recycling's role in reducing waste and pollution.
- Numat recycling plant's innovative methods support sustainability.
- New playground's matting incorporates recycled material, cushioning falls, and increasing accessibility.
- CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth highlighted sustainability's importance for future generations.
- Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen praised recycling, connecting it with Timaru's recycling, and efforts to re-use.
- The $2.98 million project was funded by donations, grants and the Timaru District Council.
- Council will maintain the community-led upgrade upon completion.
- When the rubber is no longer needed, it can be removed and recycled again.
ABOVE: Removal of the old rubber tiles that were installed by Numat 28 years ago at Caroline Bay.
The recycling process involves shredding the rubber into small pieces and grinding them into granules of various sizes. These can then be used as a base for playground surfacing or mixed with a binding agent to create a more solid safety surface.
Roselyn Fauth CPlay Volunteer said she was so happy they good re-use the rubber, as the option to recycle is better our environment and our budget. "Our CPlay team are looking for ways to stretch our budget further. This solution was a win win, we could reduce the cost to remove the old surfacing, and choose a more environmental option to re-use it. We have so many environmental messages in our playground story, it makes sense to practice what we preech."
As a CPlay Volunteer and a representitive of local rununga, I am thrilled that Nutmat were able to accept the old rubber to recycle and re-use. I hope we can inspire other groups and businesses to consider their environmental impact, and where possible choose the better option for our taitao (environment) and hapori (community). Recycling initiatives like this one are important to reduce waste and pollution. - Francine Spencer, CPlay Volunteer and Rununga Representitive.
Mayor Nigel Bowen said he’s thrilled CPlay’s new playground surface will be made from the recycled rubber, which will be able to provide a safe and fun space for the next generation. “Timaru was the first city in New Zealand to implement the three bin system, so it seems fitting that we are now the first in the country to repurpose CPlay’s former playground rubber and reuse it for CPlay’s new playground.”
AVOVE: The final granule product, ready to be bagged, stored and transported up to Timaru to re-use at the new playground in the base shock pad layer.
Floor is lava obstical course with the recycled rubber.
