Consider: Back Yard Sports Equipment, BBQ Grills and Built-Ins, Firepits, Hammocks, Outdoor Fireplaces, Outdoor Play Sets, Patio Furniture Maintenance, Patio Umbrellas, Porch Swings, Swing Sets, and Tree Forts.
Play sets and BBQ grilling are two of the most popular backyard activities:
Outdoor Play Sets
The most eco-friendly approach is to use leftover construction materials from your own home or a neighbor’s property. Over 25% of landfill waste is from construction debris, so the more that you can ‘reuse’ the better. As well, many families ‘grow out’ of play sets, and they typically last well beyond the age appropriate life of the kids, so…ask around. You may be able to either buy a used set or simply disassemble and move one over to your backyard. The cost of replacing a few of the possibly damaged or worn out elements will be significantly less than buying a new play set. For new structures, there are several manufacturers of backyard playground equipment that are leading the eco-friendly way. These manufacturers are using FSC Certified wood and 100% recycled plastics materials:
Kompan
The KOMPAN NATURE line is suitable for children aged 2 to 12. All KOMPAN Nature play equipment is produced from FSC certified hardwood. They claim their wood comes from forests which have been assessed to be well managed according to strict environmental, social and economic guidelines.
Advantages: Great use of FSC Certified wood
Disadvantages: They are located in the Netherlands so the shipping process has a large carbon footprint
Play Mart, Inc.
The Play Mart team has taken the time to give you the blow-by-blow on all the materials used in their products. The plastic used in the posts, decks and structural supports of their playground equipment is made from 100% recycled structural plastic (RSP). An average Play Mart playset recycles 25,000 milk jugs (nearly 7 jugs/lb of RSP). And are you looking for a solid limited warranty? Play Mart offers a 100 year warranty, for generations to come.
Advantages: This group wins the milk jug story of the year award, and our favorite for recycled use
Disadvantages: Limited availability
Grounds for Play, Inc.
While their equipment might be found more often at your local park, there are some fitting pieces for the backyard. While the recycled content is not as high as that of Play Mart, they are using Trex. Trex is a composite material of recycled post-consumer plastic and recycled post-production or recovered wood fibers.
Pros: Use of recycled Plastic
Disadvantages: Use of other materials that are not sustainable
Children’s Playstructure’s, Inc.
Children’s Playstructure’s custom designs and makes playground equipment for commercial and residential uses. The playground equipment is made from 100% recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) lumber, although accessory attachments to units are not recycled materials.
Advantages: The web is filled with claims like the above about the eco-friendliness of their products
Disadvantages: They don’t tell the story on their own website!
Pacific Outdoor Products
This manufacturer of residential and commercial playground structures offers recycled plastics in their products. One thing that grabbed our attention was their use of a non-toxic ACQ preservatives, but they do claim that wood has no environmental concerns when disposed of.
Advantages: Use recycled Plastic
Disadvantages: Possible impact of pressure treated wood. We will be adding, and refining this list as the manufacturers contact us. For now, feel good that you have sources of playground equipment that are a bit greener. Also you now know your old milk jugs are being repurposed and put to good use!
The right home improvement products, techniques, and services:
Contractors, home improvement stores, and specialty shops in your area may not yet have a complete familiarity with the ‘green’ opportunities, products, system integration, and overall savings potential. So, you may get some resistance, since people in general are typically more comfortable recommending something that they are already familiar with rather than something new. To help break the inertia, use the information across this website like our Return on Investment Master ROI Table. Also feel free to post a question in our forum on the message board about a particular need for your home relative to your area. Our team has spent multiple years aggregating research from public and private sector performance reports and from manufacturers and homeowners across the country in order to provide you with the perspective you may need to see the initial payback and long term advantages. Environmental enthusiasts and leading institutions like the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Realtors, see the value and link into our resources to support their members.
The Green Home:
For your overall home improvement, you can save money, improve your family’s health, and save the planet. Find out for free how much it will cost to do different types of home improvement in your home from a qualified and member approved contractor in your area. Get a FREE Quote . Plus, regardless of the size and scope of your home improvement project, save money and keep your home clean with the top rated chemical free and concentrated Green Home Cleaning Products.
Home Improvement Basics:
When it comes to home improvement basics, look for interior home improvements like creating a clean, safe, and healthy home through sustainable ‘green’ furniture, home décor, zero VOC and Interior Paint, plus ENERGY STAR Appliances and Electronics. For energy and utility savings you can focus on insulation and air sealing, windows, doors, lighting and skylights, water saving plumbing opportunities, and high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems. On the outside of your house, look for exterior home improvement opportunities through landscape design and gardening plus solar energy, wind and other power sources. If you are undertaking a major home renovation, an additions, or building a new home, then take the lead to ‘go green’ in as many ways as possible to save money and the environment.
