FAQs
What does green mean?
Being green means we are doing everything we can to protect our natural resources and ecosystems. Protecting our natural resources will help to reduce global warming, carbon footprints and energy consumption. Helping to protect our ecosystem will impact pollution, chemical discharges and have a positive health impact on us and on future generations.
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is a measurement of the greenhouse gases produced in making a playground or other product. By determining the carbon footprint we can identify the carbon impact of each playground or piece of equipment and provide customers with the carbon impact for their environmental programming efforts. By understanding the impacts of each manufacturing process we can research alternatives and invest in new processes and materials to reduce the carbon footprint.
What is the difference between transformation and greenwashing or offsets?
Transformation is changing business practices to make a measurable and direct impact on the environment and reduce your total carbon footprint. Offsetting or greenwashing is a way to indirectly impact the environment. Rather than making the investment for a positive improvement in their own processes, some companies choose only to plant trees or purchase carbon offsets rather than finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact.
What is sustainability?
As defined by the United Nations' 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, sustainability is the practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Does Playworld Systems practice sustainable design?
Sustainable design is the driving philosophy behind our Green Action strategy. We evaluate the environmental impact of every product we design across its entire "cradle to cradle" lifecycle. The process includes maximizing recycled, recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable materials; avoiding toxic or harmful chemicals and materials; optimizing the manufacturing process to reduce waste and increase efficiency; and designing packaging in parallel with the product's high environmental standards. The end result is a dramatically lower carbon footprint and assurance that our customers are contributing to the well-being of the environment and their children when they purchase Playworld Systems equipment. Learn more about our critical sustainable design initiatives.
Why should I be concerned about PVC?
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic polymer. When PVC is burned uncontrollably it releases dioxin and hydrochloric acid. Dioxin is a persistent bioaccumulative toxin that can migrate through our food chain. PVC can also contain phthalates & heavy metals which can impact endocrine development if ingested. Due to the porous state of PVC it is also prone to mold and mildew in damp environments.
My playground has PVC, is it safe for children to use?
Yes, PVC in its manufactured stable form on playgrounds is not harmful to users. PVC can become problematic when it is burned due to vandalism, accidental fires, or even landfill fires. PVC can also be problematic if it is manufactured with certain other phthalates and is accidentally ingested (i.e. children’s toys). Only 0.5% of all PVC is recycled which makes it harmful to our environment. Evolving science also suggests PVC production can have a lasting health impact on workers with long-term exposure.
Why make the switch to PVC-free Eco-Armor™ ?
Eco-Armor is thermoplastic Polyethylene (PE) which is a tough, durable and environmentally friendly alternative to PVC. It is a proven material found in items such as football face masks, tractor trailer floors, and oil pipe lines to help prevent corrosion. Unlike PVC, Eco-Armor does not have any related health concerns for dioxin, phthalates, and heavy metals. Eco-Armor has no by products other than steam. Eco-Armor is also field repairable to like-new condition which makes it maintenance friendly. Playworld Systems products are 99.999% free of PVCs. This is just one of the many ways we are striving to help the environment and reduce our total carbon footprint.
Can Eco-Armor™ decks be recycled?
The Eco-Armor (polyethylene) coating is recyclable when facilities are available. The steel frames are recyclable when the coating is removed. This can be done in a burn-off oven without environmental concerns. Unlike an Eco-Armor coating, PVC coatings must be removed in a controlled burn to prevent the release of dioxins – making the process more difficult, expensive and subject to health and environmental concerns. Less than 0.5% of all PVC is recycled.
Being green means we are doing everything we can to protect our natural resources and ecosystems. Protecting our natural resources will help to reduce global warming, carbon footprints and energy consumption. Helping to protect our ecosystem will impact pollution, chemical discharges and have a positive health impact on us and on future generations.
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is a measurement of the greenhouse gases produced in making a playground or other product. By determining the carbon footprint we can identify the carbon impact of each playground or piece of equipment and provide customers with the carbon impact for their environmental programming efforts. By understanding the impacts of each manufacturing process we can research alternatives and invest in new processes and materials to reduce the carbon footprint.
What is the difference between transformation and greenwashing or offsets?
Transformation is changing business practices to make a measurable and direct impact on the environment and reduce your total carbon footprint. Offsetting or greenwashing is a way to indirectly impact the environment. Rather than making the investment for a positive improvement in their own processes, some companies choose only to plant trees or purchase carbon offsets rather than finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact.
What is sustainability?
As defined by the United Nations' 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, sustainability is the practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Does Playworld Systems practice sustainable design?
Sustainable design is the driving philosophy behind our Green Action strategy. We evaluate the environmental impact of every product we design across its entire "cradle to cradle" lifecycle. The process includes maximizing recycled, recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable materials; avoiding toxic or harmful chemicals and materials; optimizing the manufacturing process to reduce waste and increase efficiency; and designing packaging in parallel with the product's high environmental standards. The end result is a dramatically lower carbon footprint and assurance that our customers are contributing to the well-being of the environment and their children when they purchase Playworld Systems equipment. Learn more about our critical sustainable design initiatives.
Why should I be concerned about PVC?
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic polymer. When PVC is burned uncontrollably it releases dioxin and hydrochloric acid. Dioxin is a persistent bioaccumulative toxin that can migrate through our food chain. PVC can also contain phthalates & heavy metals which can impact endocrine development if ingested. Due to the porous state of PVC it is also prone to mold and mildew in damp environments.
My playground has PVC, is it safe for children to use?
Yes, PVC in its manufactured stable form on playgrounds is not harmful to users. PVC can become problematic when it is burned due to vandalism, accidental fires, or even landfill fires. PVC can also be problematic if it is manufactured with certain other phthalates and is accidentally ingested (i.e. children’s toys). Only 0.5% of all PVC is recycled which makes it harmful to our environment. Evolving science also suggests PVC production can have a lasting health impact on workers with long-term exposure.
Why make the switch to PVC-free Eco-Armor™ ?
Eco-Armor is thermoplastic Polyethylene (PE) which is a tough, durable and environmentally friendly alternative to PVC. It is a proven material found in items such as football face masks, tractor trailer floors, and oil pipe lines to help prevent corrosion. Unlike PVC, Eco-Armor does not have any related health concerns for dioxin, phthalates, and heavy metals. Eco-Armor has no by products other than steam. Eco-Armor is also field repairable to like-new condition which makes it maintenance friendly. Playworld Systems products are 99.999% free of PVCs. This is just one of the many ways we are striving to help the environment and reduce our total carbon footprint.
Can Eco-Armor™ decks be recycled?
The Eco-Armor (polyethylene) coating is recyclable when facilities are available. The steel frames are recyclable when the coating is removed. This can be done in a burn-off oven without environmental concerns. Unlike an Eco-Armor coating, PVC coatings must be removed in a controlled burn to prevent the release of dioxins – making the process more difficult, expensive and subject to health and environmental concerns. Less than 0.5% of all PVC is recycled.
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