Playtop impact-absorbing surfacing is unique. Not only is it making children's playgrounds safer around the world but it is doing so using recycled commercial-vehicle tyres and sports shoes.

It is the only surface of its kind that uses recycled sports shoes in the form of Nike Grind. A black Playtop playground surface that incorporates Nike Grind is up to 92% recycled material. And every square metre contains rubber from approximately 12 pairs of trainers and one commercial-vehicle tyre. Using rubber granulate from tyres and trainers in this way prevents them ending up in already overflowing landfill sites.

As part of its commitment to corporate responsibility and in order to reduce unnecessary waste, Nike runs an initiative called Reuse-A-Shoe, which was launched in the UK at the end of 2004 following its success in the US.

Nike collects old sports shoes (any brand) from collection points across the UK and recycles them to create a rubber granulate called Nike Grind.

Playtop then takes Nike Grind and incorporates it into its play surfacing. In return, Playtop pays a royalty into the Nike ‘Let Me Play' Corporate Responsibility programme.

This environmental and community investment programme promotes healthier lifestyles for children and drives positive social change through sports and play. It does this by contributing to the cost of creating play and sports surfaces in schools and communities, particularly those in deprived areas.