Curious about how we contribute to a more sustainable world and a healthier living environment? In our comprehensive brochure, you can read all about our commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions.
Our Circular Approach
Sustainability is in our DNA. Since the 1980s, we have adopted a hybrid circular business model, combining “classic sustainability” with “intermediary benefits.” Classic sustainability refers to the standard long lifespan of our play equipment, achieved by using only high-quality (recycled) materials. Intermediary benefits mean that our equipment is easy to repair, allowing us to extend its lifespan and reuse modules or parts (return flow) in new play equipment after the end of their lifecycle. Our operations are based on the R-strategy: Reduce, Repair, Re-use, Refurbish, and Recycle.
Environmental Impact and Lifecycle Analysis
We aim for minimal environmental impact, recognising that the children who grow up with our play spaces today will face the consequences of the choices we make now. For each piece of equipment, we conduct a lifecycle analysis and calculate the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI), based on 13 environmental impact indicators weighed against societal compensation costs. These impact values serve as a dashboard for identifying improvements in our design, production, and procurement choices. Discover our approach to minimising our ecological footprint and our plans for future improvements. In our brochure, we explain how we analyse the full lifecycle of our products, from “Cradle to Gate” to “End of Life.”
Why Sustainability Matters for Municipalities
Governments can establish policies and guide the market by setting clear guidelines and sustainability criteria. Read in our brochure how we can assist in making sustainable choices for public space design.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
We regard Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an essential part of the way we do business. We are actively committed to sustainability and circularity, developing products that are fully reusable. We achieve this by reusing raw materials as much as possible and generating as little waste as we can.
We contribute to a better living environment by creating sustainable play and activity spaces. These spaces are designed with the future in mind, so they not only inspire the current generation but also contribute to the wellbeing of generations to come. Our aim is to make a positive impact—for our clients as well as for society as a whole.
We also place great value on Social Return on Investment (SROI). We actively contribute to social employment by offering opportunities to people who face barriers to the labour market. By creating jobs for this group, we strengthen both our organisation and the wider community. This forms an important part of our responsibility as a business to make a positive impact not only economically, but socially as well.
R Strategy
Many products are still made according to a simple model: make new – use – discard. This leads to large amounts of waste and repeatedly requires new raw materials such as wood, steel and plastics. It also takes a great deal of energy to continuously produce and transport new products.
The R Strategy offers a different approach. It is a practical method rooted in the circular economy. The letter R stands for steps that all begin with an R, such as Reduce and Repair. The idea is straightforward: the longer you can use a product and its components, the less waste you create and the fewer new raw materials you need.
For BOERplay, this means thinking not only about how a product is made, but about its entire life cycle:
- How do you design play equipment so it lasts a long time?
- Can it be repaired over the years instead of replaced?
- Can certain components be reused at the end of its lifespan?
- What happens to the remaining materials once the product reaches the end of its life?
We choose an approach based on five R’s: Reduce, Repair, Re-use, Refurbish and Recycle.
These steps help us conserve resources, extend the lifespan of play equipment and reuse components—without compromising on safety or play value.
Reduce – less material, smarter choices
We use as little material as possible and work with standard, readily available sizes and lengths to prevent waste. The materials we use are strong, low-maintenance and have a long lifespan of an average of 20 years or more.
New components are designed to be lighter, without compromising safety or play value. We also explore smarter sourcing options to reduce transport needs and minimise waste and transport-related costs.
Repair – repairing instead of replacing
Our play equipment is modular in design. This means that components such as floors, roofs, panels, climbing walls, slides, ropes and grips can be replaced individually.
If a part is damaged, the entire structure does not need to be dismantled. We repair or replace only what is necessary, allowing play equipment to remain in safe use for many more years.
Re-use – reusing play equipment
Sometimes play equipment is removed simply because an area is ready for something new. Often, the equipment is still technically sound and could easily last for years to come.
In such cases, we work with the municipality to see whether the equipment can be reinstalled at another location. Occasionally, we adapt the layout slightly so it better suits the new environment or target group.
Refurbish – giving components a second life
At the end of a product’s life cycle, we take back our own play equipment. Components that are still usable are reused—without compromising safety or play value.
We work in accordance with EN 1176 standards. For example, if a structure is worn out but the stainless steel slide is still in good condition, that slide can be reused in a new piece of equipment for the same municipality. This saves raw materials and budget, allowing that budget to be reinvested in additional play value.
Recycle – reprocessing materials
Since 1981, we have used recycled plastics in our play equipment. Materials such as stainless steel and aluminium are also already recycled. To ensure optimal material properties, we add 10–30% virgin material.
In 2022, we introduced posts made from recycled artificial grass. Our production waste is carefully separated and processed through high-quality recycling streams
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