Play is nature. We do our best to preserve it. Starting now, we can make colorful playgrounds with 95% recycled materials*.
*95% post-consumer recycled waste used in HDPE panels, the Hercules Rope yarn, and the TexMade™ posts.
Replacement of raw materials
We continuously work to reduce our usage of raw materials by replacing them with recycled materials that emit fewer carbon emissions. We utilize a two-way approach: Made Green and Born Green.
Born Green
Born Green means products are made from natural hardwoods like Robinia. Robinia is highly durable and does not require any chemical wood preservatives. KOMPAN Robinia products are also available with a FSC® certification (C004450).
Made Green
Made Green products are made of up to 95% post-consumer recycled materials: ocean waste, used textiles, used plastic bags, etc. Made Green products have approximately 50% reductions in carbon emissions compared to traditional products made from virgin sources.
Recycled raw materials
BLOQX Climbing
BLOQX™ Climbing panels are made from 75% post-consumer recycled waste, e.g. household waste, and the teal color version is made from 33% ocean waste. Using BLOQX™ panels instead of virgin plastic reduces emissions by 68% CO2e/kg – Made Green.
Robinia Products
Robinia wood products are the result of responsible forestry practices – where wood is bred for harvesting, and both planting and harvesting are carefully controlled. When using Robinia, you do not need to use any chemical wood preservatives. Robinia products are also available with FSC® certification (C004450) – Born Green.
Rotomolded Components
These colored, rotationally molded components – used for the Supernova, Spinner Bowl, Tipi Carousel, and various other products – are made from 33% recycled waste, e.g. household waste. The blue-green version specifically is made from recycled ocean waste – Made Green.
Extruded Aluminum
Extruded aluminum profiles are made using low-carbon aluminum. Using these low-carbon aluminum profiles – produced with renewable energy sources instead of using aluminum profiles made with traditional energy sources – reduces carbon emissions by 56% CO2e/kg – Made Green.
If you want to learn more about our materials, follow the link below.
TexMade™ Posts
Our highly durable, innovative TexMade™ posts are made from >95% post-consumer recycled textile and plastic waste. Using TexMade™ posts made from >95% post-consumer recycled textile and plastic waste instead of steel posts reduces carbon emissions by 74% CO2e/kg when comparing 1m steel post (2mm pipe thickness) to 1m TexMade™ post – Made Green.
Tempered Corocord Rope with EcoYarn™
Our Corocord ropes are designed for optimal strength, abrasion resistance and all-weather durability. These ropes are made to withstand vandalism, ensuring longevity and safety in various environments. The ropes are tightly wrapped with EcoYarn™ in >95% post-consumer recycled material, which is melted onto each individual strand. This process enhances the rope’s durability and significantly reduces waste. Corocord ropes are available in eight colors and six dimensions (7mm, 16mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, and 23mm) and cater to different needs while maintaining their environmental benefits. Depending on the size, the ropes have either a steel or fiber core, ensuring optimal application performance — Made Green.
Decks
Decks in playground structures are made from 75% post-consumer recycled waste – Made Green.
EcoCore™ HDPE Panels
Now in all colors
From 2024, all EcoCore™ HDPE panels are available in our full range of vibrant hues, each derived from carefully selected, recycled materials.
Every shade tells a story of environmental stewardship, proving that recycled waste can be seamlessly woven into every design without sacrificing aesthetics. The teal-colored panel is made from post-consumer, recycled ocean waste collected from the maritime industry, such as fishing nets, ropes, and trawl nets. All other colors are made from post-consumer household waste.
Using our EcoCore™ HDPE panels – made from >95% post-consumer recycled waste instead of panels made from virgin plastic – reduces carbon emissions by 82% CO2e/kg.
New | Online magazine
Designing Greener Playgrounds
Welcome to the discussion on the ever-evolving landscape of playgrounds – an essential aspect of childhood development that now takes a turn towards responsible materials and practices.
In this magazine, we'll delve deeper into the specifics of these materials, exploring the benefits they bring to playground design and their positive influence on the overall environmental footprint of these spaces.
Explore, learn, design: Greener playgrounds
The footprint of a playground
Playgrounds, integral to childhood development, often leave a substantial environmental footprint from raw material extraction to disposal. KOMPAN's Go Green Director, Dorthe Thorup-Kjærulff, sheds light on KOMPAN's commitment to transparency.
From waste to play value
KOMPAN acknowledges that around 80% of its carbon emissions result from the raw materials used. The company is actively seeking ways to diminish its environmental footprint. Learn more about the company's key initiatives.
The new look of a reduced carbon footprint
Architect Alexander Sundberg assures that TexMade™ posts and plastic alternatives, developed from textile waste and post-consumer sources, rival steel and plastic in durability. Playground solutions can be as colorful as your heart desires – but with a dramatically reduced carbon footprint.
Greener playgrounds: Where durability meets safety
KOMPAN's TexMade™ playground posts, crafted entirely from textile waste, prove their durability in extreme tests. Jacob Harder, KOMPAN's engineer, emphasizes the necessity of finding alternatives to traditional materials like steel and plastic.
Playgrounds with documented green benefits
Navigating corporate claims on climate impact is increasingly aided by third-party verified data. Tomas Riegels-Jørgensen of Bureau Veritas emphasizes the rising demand for understanding ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) activities.
Play is Nature - Designing Greener Playgrounds
A greener solution for any sector
Architects
Unleash your creativity while crafting playgrounds that fit the environment. Elevate your designs with colorful options while committing to a greener, more vibrant future!
Parks & Rec
Make playgrounds part of your green strategy, and discover how integrating green spaces into your projects enriches the play experience and contributes to a healthier planet.
Q&A on products
What do MADE GREEN and BORN GREEN mean?
Made Green means that products are made of up to 95% post-consumer recycled materials such as ocean waste, used textiles, food packaging waste, used plastic bags, etc. Our Made Green products have approximately 50% reductions in carbon emissions compared to similar traditional products made from virgin sources (depending on the product).
Born Green means products are made from natural hardwoods like Robinia. Robinia is highly durable and does not require any chemical wood preservatives. KOMPAN Robinia products are also available with a FSC® certification (C004450).
Is it possible to build a playground with all MADE GREEN products?
Yes, we have launched a vast assortment of products in our MADE GREEN range. There are products for different age groups and activity types.
Are the products still vandalism-resistant?
Yes, we have very high standards regarding our quality; we have the same high standards when it comes to our new green assortment.
Do you have a CO2e calculator on the KOMPAN website?
Yes, you can find a CO2e footprint for all of our standard products on the KOMPAN website. They can be found on the various product sheets.
Why does KOMPAN still sell other products (not so sustainable)?
While we still offer the less sustainable options, we are working on making all our products more sustainable. We have a vast assortment, so realistically, it will take time; however, we will get there.
Why are MADE GREEN products more expensive than standard products?
MADE GREEN products all use post-consumer waste. Post-consumer waste is more time-consuming to retrieve. You have to collect, clean, and sort the waste before it can be used again. So, it is a bit more expensive; however, it saves a lot of CO2e.
Are the recycled products recyclable again after their life cycle is over?
Yes, all of our post-consumer recycled products can be used again. They are constructed with this in mind and can be disassembled, collected, sorted, and reused again.
How many of KOMPAN’s products are, in general, recyclable?
Almost all our products can be recycled again. Those that are recyclable can be disassembled so that the raw material, e.g. plastic, steel, and aluminum, can be sorted, collected, and reused. Some raw materials, however, cannot be recycled again. All wood types are not considered recyclable. HPL, WPC, and Rope are also not recyclable.
Can existing play structures that are already installed be upgraded with the new recycled parts (e.g. replacement posts and panels)?
Yes, you can replace, e.g., a deck in our MOMENTS play system from HPL to the new moulded deck quality using post-consumer Ocean waste. HDPE panels can also be replaced with the new Ocean post-consumer quality.
Want to talk about greener playgrounds?
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