Recycled rubber creates safe and accessible community parks and playgrounds
Communities are tasked with finding the best ways to build safe, sustainable, and inclusive recreational areas. Local leaders, parks and recreation directors, administrators, and government officials are often expected to move the needle on these foundational aspects in their counties.
However, one material that’s often found in these areas occasionally sparks controversy despite definitive scientific research backing its safety. Recycled rubber is a sustainable material processed from end-of-life tires that are transformed into new materials. During recycling, the tires are cleaned, shredded, and processed, forming a material called “crumb rubber.”
Crumb rubber infill can be found in recreational spaces, including playgrounds, parks, and playing fields. The material has contributed to making these areas more durable, as it absorbs impact, drains quickly, reduces maintenance costs, and keeps fields open even after inclement weather.
Yet, due to persistent misinformation, communities can be hesitant to adopt recycled rubber materials. That comes at a cost, with communities losing out on the safety, economic benefits, and year-round accessibility that recycled rubber provides.
The Science Is Clear
While there are questions about products that use recycled rubber, the reality is that the science is well-established.
Earlier this year, for instance, California's Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released a report assessing the potential health risks associated with synthetic-turf fields that contain crumb-rubber infill. The study is one of the most comprehensive to date and found "no significant health risks to players, coaches, referees and spectators from on-field or off-field exposure" from synthetic turf using crumb-rubber infill.
The study is one of more than 100 publications and government reports, including research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These reports consistently show turf with crumb-rubber infill performs as safely as natural grass, even as it exceeds in comparison when it comes to durability, accessibility, and year-round usability.
“Recycled rubber is probably the most thoroughly reviewed and tested surface material,” says Stratton Kirton, Vice President of Government Affairs at Liberty Tire Recycling. “Folks should be confident when they choose safe and sustainable recycled rubber that the science is firmly behind them.”
Additionally, a national survey by The Better Play Initiative revealed that most Americans are concerned about playground safety and see potential in recycled-rubber surfaces as part of the solution to safer, more accessible play. Despite the debates around the use of synthetic turf, the same survey found that 72% of U.S. adults support using softer, alternative materials like recycled rubber if they are deemed safe by government studies.
Why Recycled Rubber Matters
Not everyone may realize it, but choosing what goes under our feet has real implications.
Natural-grass fields are increasingly difficult for cities to maintain in the face of budget constraints, droughts, and increased usage. Unlike grass, which often becomes unplayable after heavy rains, surfaces with recycled-rubber infill drain more quickly and are less likely to close due to weather conditions. These surfaces also help reduce the likelihood of injuries from falls and are easier to access for people of differing abilities.
The cost savings add up, too, as synthetic-turf fields have lower lifetime maintenance costs when factoring in recurring projects such as watering, mowing, and fertilization. According to the 2025 Field Cost Comparison Guide, synthetic-turf fields are three times less expensive to use, costing $42 per hour of use versus $102-140 per hour for grass.
While the decision to use recycled rubber in a community can be an economic one, it’s also about upholding values, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and creating accessible spaces for people of all abilities.
Myths Versus Facts
For years, critics have brought up concerns around environmental impacts.
The reality is recycled rubber is actually one of the biggest success stories in sustainability. It reduces landfill waste and decreases a tire’s carbon footprint by giving it a second life. The recycling process alone helps keep over 200 million end-of-life tires out of landfills every year.
“Recycled rubber extends the life of this versatile material, closing the loop on material usage and preventing landfill,” says Shweta Srikanth, Chief Circularity Officer at Ecore International. “Keeping materials like used tires in motion instead of sitting in landfills is a huge win for the environment and local communities everywhere.”
Critics also have raised concerns around the chemical makeup of recycled rubber. As stated before, recycled rubber consists of end-of-life tires that are processed to use as surface materials. The processing of these tires is entirely mechanical, not chemical. That means the rubber doesn’t undergo any chemical changes, maintaining its original composition.
“The misinformation around recycled rubber is incredibly persistent because so many people are unfamiliar with how these materials are made, tested, and studied,” says Darren Gill, Executive Vice President at Tarkett Sports. “The bigger issue isn’t the material itself, but how misperceptions could delay communities from getting the recreational spaces they urgently need.”
Where To Begin
There is a wealth of information available, and whether an individual is a local leader, park official, or concerned community member, it can be challenging to sift through it all. Below are a few tips and considerations for any decision-making processes in a community:
- Choose science over scare tactics—Rely on credible, academic, governmental, and peer-reviewed studies, and be cautious of older studies that are no longer considered reliable.
- Involve experts—Bring in local or regional environmental scientists to review proposed materials and answer questions.
- Consider the full picture—When budgeting for park or recreational improvements, look beyond the upfront price, as maintenance costs, field closures, and injury rates can all have added impacts.
- Plan for diverse use—Parks and playing fields extend beyond only sports leagues and are meant for children of all abilities, seniors, and varying community events.
- Engage the entire community—Invite community members into the discussion with transparency and openness.
Recreational areas are more than amenities. They represent a key pillar of engagement across communities and are for people of all ages and abilities. And anyone making decisions on behalf of their community should turn to the latest research from credible institutions when it comes to choosing how local parks, playgrounds, and playing fields are maintained and improved.
The science is settled, and recycled rubber is helping thousands of communities create safe, sustainable, and accessible spaces for all.
