Thinking about renovating your sports facility? Getting rid of old materials and equipment? Try repurposing, where you can not only save money (or even make money) but also earn bragging rights for your facility’s sustainability and for being environmentally friendly to your community. There’s a better solution to buying and throwing away materials. Damon Carson is the founder and owner of RepurposedMATERIALS. Self-described as an “industrial matchmaker,” the company plays the middle man for those trying to get rid of used materials and those trying to save on new materials, all while minimizing what goes into your landfill.
“Throwing away the turf of one football field is about 600,000 pounds of waste going into a landfill,” said Carson.
So, repurposing is great for the environment, but what about your pocket? You will save 50 to 75 percent in buying repurposed materials rather than new, purpose-built products.
RepurposedMATERIALS also works to find creative, unrelated use for materials that have value as is. Carson described these types of materials to be three things: generic, versatile and adaptable.
Here are some ideas:
Repurpose Your Used Materials
Gym floor repurposed in family room
- glass hockey rink walls >> table surfaces, transparent dividers (at a zoo, park, etc.)
- sports courts >> wooden flooring, wooden bridges in parks/golf courses, rubber play area flooring
- bleachers >> store shelves, poolside flooring, steps/stairs, theater seating
- athletic turf >> dog kennels, playground turf, play areas in homes, yards, parks, add to road medians
- netting (gym dividers, ball catchers, batting cages) <<>> fishing nets, bird cages, trampoline safety barriers, garden fences
- chain link fences (baseball/softball, soccer, football fields) <<>> park/yard fencing, gardening walls (grow ivy, grapevines)
Buy Repurposed Materials
- rubber conveyor belts >> paths for ice skating rinks, protective covers for tracks surrounding football fields to avoid cleat damage
55 gallon barrels repurposed to ball storage
- steel cables >> parking lot liners, dividers that guide visitors where to go and form lines
- 55 gallon drums >> ball holders, makeshift goal posts
- billboard vinyl >> protective covers for fields and equipment, parking spots in muddy terrain
- pool noodles >> protective padding on cement poles, trampoline spring covers
- street cleaner bristles >> boot-scrapers to avoid dirty footprints on your gym floors
- pool covers >> window shades to avoid glares
Get Creative
Turf repurposed in playhouse
Of course, these are just some ideas to get you started. Look around your facility and take note of what you need or are trying to get rid of. How else can these be used? Be creative! If you need help, repurposedMATERIALS can provide ideas as well.
Turf used on fashion runway
Many people underestimate how much waste comes from sports facilities, whether it’s from concession snacks, forgotten water bottles or broken equipment. If you repurpose, you can make a difference with your facility that will positively impact your community and your wallet.
