Celebrating over 1 million pounds of recycled rubber used in eco-friendly projects
Helps to create safer and more inclusive gathering spaces and playgrounds
Kal Tire aims to show care for the environment and the communities where we operate each day, but on Earth Day, a global day of appreciation for the planet, Kal Tire celebrates a milestone of the use of over 1 million pounds of recycled rubber through the Kal's Replay Fund.
The program funds community-based construction projects by non-profits and covers the cost of the recycled rubber materials used. The program started as Kal Tire’s way to contribute to more sustainable development, build greener infrastructure and divert waste from landfills.
Since 2019, Kal Tire has helped a total of 45 community organizations and in the last year alone, the program funded 23 RePlay construction projected and used approximately 630,000 pounds of recycled rubber. When it comes to playground construction, recycled rubber surfaces are not just beneficial for the environment, they are also necessary to help make these structures accessible and safer for everyone. For persons living with disabilities, sand and gravel surfaces on playgrounds are a real barrier, keeping them off the playground
Variety- the Children’s Charity of Alberta, is an organization in Alberta that supports children facing a variety of challenges, and an important focus of their work is leading the construction of playgrounds that allow all children, regardless of ability, to play with their peers.
“There’s a whole segment of society who cannot enjoy public play spaces. They can hear their friends and see their friends, but they can’t join them,” says Larry Horeczy, Chief Operating Officer, Variety—the Children’s Charity of Alberta. “If we think about play as an essential part of childhood development, for children living with disabilities, our most vulnerable children, rubber surfacing makes it possible for them to be socially and physically active. The partnership with Kal Tire is a model showing communities how we can bring about inclusion.”
Variety is leading the way in Alberta, making positive impacts for organizations and families, as well as the environment. “Playground construction is an incredible way to put old tires to good use and we’re excited about being a part of inclusive play for all ages and abilities,” says Kevin McCarty, senior specialist, responsibility, Kal Tire.
Variety’s 2022 projects supported by Kal’s RePlay Fund include:
Sparling Elementary School in Camrose, AB
- A small school with 140 children and a new special needs program. The school and community had a great need to raise funds for the city’s first inclusive playground.
- Recycled rubber estimated to be used: 45,500 pounds
- Estimated number of passenger tires recycled: 5,500 tires
- Surface area: 3,500 square feet
Innisfail Community Playground in Innisfail, AB
- This inclusive playground, Innisfail’s first and a much-needed replacement of worn equipment, will serve the entire community of 8,000 residents.
- Estimated total weight of recycled rubber being used: 52,000 pounds
- Estimated number of passenger tires recycled: 6,280 tires
- Surface area: 4,000 square feet
Cochrane Centennial Park in Cochrane, AB
- A central park serving families and seniors furthest from opportunity, the play area needed updated equipment that would ensure the children’s safety.
- Estimated total weight of recycled rubber being used: 57,200 pounds
- Estimated number of passenger tires recycled: 6,900 tires
- Surface area: 4,400 square feet
Tsuu T’ina First Nation
- With a concrete surface, and unsafe equipment lacking features, the community playground serving the families of the Tsuu T’ina First Nation was desperately in need of replacing.
- Estimated total weight of recycled rubber being used: 98,000 pounds
- Estimated number of passenger tires recycled: 11,800
- Surface area: 7,500 square feet
- Do you know of a non-profit that could benefit from playground surface, a roof or flooring made from recycled rubber?
Learn more about Kal’s RePlay Fund and apply in 2023.
