Two thirds of the almost 100,000 children's playgrounds in Germany are in need of renovation and are not very inviting for our children. The NEW LIFE initiative aims to raise public awareness of this problem nationwide and help to renovate playgrounds in a child- and climate-friendly way. In a competition, dilapidated and neglected playgrounds can be submitted by the end of April 2024. nominated for refurbishment will be organised. The playgrounds with the greatest need for renovation will then be voted on for a month. The three playgrounds with the most votes will win an elastic fall protection floor made from sustainable tyre rubber granules*.

Nominate dilapidated playgrounds and win sustainable fall protection surfaces

Anyone who knows of a playground in urgent need of renovation in their town or municipality,
who hasn't seen any laughing children for a long time can simply nominate them with a photo, address and short description for the renovation: https://initiative-new-life.de/loesungen/spielplaetze.

All playground refurbishment cases are clearly presented on an interactive map of Germany. After the nomination phase ends on 30 April 2024, a vote will be held. The three playgrounds with the most votes will win the child- and climate-friendly renovation with a sustainable safety surface made of tyre rubber granulate*. Anyone can take part in this competition and - together with friends, parents, grandparents, daycare centres or primary schools - campaign for the renovation of their playground.

Nominating and voting not only lays the foundation for the sustainable and appealing refurbishment of German children's playgrounds. Each participant also helps to support the use of high-quality recycled products - for the benefit of people, the climate and the environment. Every tonne of used tyres that is recycled into rubber granulate (and not incinerated) saves around 700 kg of CO₂-emissions.

The foundation of child- and climate-friendly playground refurbishment

Elastic fall protection floors made from sustainable tyre rubber granulate have been ensuring
40 years of compliance with the highest safety standards. Children feel comfortable on the floors and can let off steam safely. The fall protection surfaces made from recycled rubber granules offer effective protection when children jump or fall from play equipment. They minimise the impact and reduce the risk of injury.

Safety tiles and safety mats made from recycled rubber granules are available in the colours red, green or black. However, they can also be provided with a coloured EPDM (synthetic rubber) top layer or individually printed vinyl. Seamless safety surfaces can be installed in-situ on flat, curved or sloping surfaces (up to 45° inclination).

With variable shapes, colours, letter, number and motif panels, a variety of play landscapes can be created in schools, kindergartens and daycare centres that appeal to all the senses.

Fall protection floors made of rubber granulate are also economically superior

Impact protection floors made of rubber granulate are more economical in the medium term than floors
with loose bulk materials, as the recycled material is durable, easy to clean and low-maintenance. Anchoring points for play equipment are seamlessly enclosed, which prevents injuries and contamination. The base layer (35 to 120 mm thick, depending on the fall protection) is applied to the surface in a semi-liquid state. The colour and design of the upper wear layer is determined by the client.

The elastic flooring systems are also available without fall protection properties for the decorative design of secondary areas, paths or squares. Non-slip rubber granulate flooring systems (with/without fall protection) are also the first choice for wet areas in play areas. Channels, streams and gutters can also be covered with the rubber flooring, as can hills and sloping walking areas.

The range of sustainable recycled products for the attractive design and renovation of playgrounds is rounded off by edging and child-friendly decorative objects in various shapes, sizes and colours. The spectrum ranges from decorative balls and cubes, giant mushrooms and caterpillar heads to soft rubber elephants, rhinos, dromedaries and ponies for sitting and climbing.

After use, the recycled products made from tyre rubber granulate can be easily recycled and used to manufacture new products, which further optimises their eco-balance.

* Fall protection surface (maximum 30 m², fall protection up to 1.50 metres) made of tyre rubber granulate, in red, green or black.