Rubber landscape chippings made from recycled tyres create an eye-catching entrance to regeneration scheme

(30/07/2009)

A landmark regeneration scheme to transform a redundant hospital site into new homes is going ‘green’ thanks to the help of an award winning landscape designer.

Sustainability of the regeneration project has been boosted by renowned garden designer David Fountain, from Essex, who has used rubber landscape chippings, made from 100 per cent recycled tyres, to create an eye-catching entrance to the development.

The former St Andrews Hospital site, at Bow, will be turned into luxury apartments by developer Barratt Homes, which tasked David to put his mark on landscaping the visionary development.

A double gold medal and Best in Show winner at the RHS Chelsea and Tatton Park Shows, David was inspired to use vivid Dunweedin’ recycled rubber chippings to bring life to the site, which is central to regenerating the Thames Gateway area and is a key preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games.

David explains: “The homes will be well designed, of high quality and environmentally friendly and the landscaping around has been designed to reflect this. The recycled rubber chippings are exciting and innovative and the different colours are a great way of introducing flashes of vivid colour in a sustainable and easy to maintain way.”

Using crisp, clean lines David used blue, green and yellow chippings to create a contemporary haven for perspective buyers of the one and two bed apartments.

He added: “I have long felt that we don’t use as much colour as we should in this country compared to some of our European neighbours but the bold and vibrant colours of the chippings meant that I could use less plants and shrubs and rely on the chippings to provide the impact. The beauty of using rubber chippings over bark is that the space will still look as bold and attractive in a year’s time as it does now.”

Dunweedin’ produces four products from 100 per cent recycled tyres:

Rubber landscaping chippings: With its natural 'bark' appearance the tremendous benefits of Landscaping Rubber Chippings make it a far superior alternative to organic mulches, lasting ten times longer than bark chippings, and other ground cover products such as slate and gravels.

Bounceback Rubber crumb: Bounceback Reinforcing Rubber Crumb for Lawns is produced from recycled passenger tyres, granulated to form small rubber crumbs. You can apply the crumb either as a top dressing or mixed directly into a new surface. Ideal for use in all these areas:

* High use / worn areas
* Under and around playing equipment
* Pathways

Rubber Playground Chippings: Playground Rubber Chippings are produced from recycled tyres, granulated to form rubber chippings. Each of our colour coatings are water based, they will not freeze, or blow away - which means they are 100 per cent safe for all and will not stain.

Terrasofta: Terrasofta play surface is produced from recycled forklift truck tyres, grated down to create rubber shavings. Soft under foot, wheel chair and child friendly the play surface is perfect for garden and public play areas and landscaping.

Related categories:  Recyclable materials