In a world that is increasingly focusing on sustainability, circularity is no longer a niche concept. It stands for a rethink in the production and use of resources: away from a throwaway mentality and towards a system in which materials remain in circulation for as long as possible. We at eibe are working hard on this. On 15 April 2024, we proudly passed an audit based on circularity criteria set by the company Society for Climate Protection Munich (Gesellschaft für Klimaschutz München GmbH). This means that our products are optimally embedded in a meaningful circular economy. But what does circularity mean specifically for our wooden play equipment? And why is it so important – for the environment and for all of us? This blog post will tell you.
Table of contents
- What is circularity?
- Why is circularity good for the environment?
- What are the advantages of circularity?
- How does circularity work in eibe play equipment?
- Circularity at eibe: we are certified
- Circularity in production – our ongoing work
What is circularity? – The circular economy explained briefly
In general, circularity, or a circular economy, describes an economic system in which products and materials are not simply disposed of, but reused, repaired or recycled. The focus is on conserving resources and avoiding waste. For our company, manufacturing wooden play equipment, this means thinking beyond the initial fun of playing.
In line with the circular economy, our play equipment is a repository of raw materials. This means that after years of intensive use, it can be dismantled and all the components individually tested. Parts that are still usable can then be reprocessed and installed in a new play equipment. This is how we give materials a second, third and fourth life.
Why is circularity good for the environment?
The positive environmental impact of circularity is obvious. Every part that is reused saves valuable resources: fewer trees need to be felled and less energy is needed to manufacture new components. What’s more, wood as raw material is a real climate protector. It stores CO₂, which is filtered out of the atmosphere and bound during growth. The longer wood products are in circulation, the longer this CO₂ remains bound. With our approach, we extend this effect and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
What are the advantages of circularity?
The circular economy offers a wide range of advantages, which together create a remarkable overall picture, but are also convincing as individual arguments. These include the following factors:
- Resource efficiency: The circular economy maximises the use of raw materials by extending their lifespan. Efficient use of resources reduces the need to extract new raw materials while minimising waste.
- Durability: Products in a circular system are designed for the longest possible useful life. This not only saves resources but also costs, as fewer repairs and new purchases are necessary.
- Repair-friendliness: Circularity promotes product designs that are maintenance- and repair-friendly. This enables a longer service life for play equipment and the reuse of individual parts at the end of the product’s life.
- Use of renewable raw materials: Renewable raw materials such as wood are essential for recyclability because they are biodegradable and renewable. This ensures a sustainable source of materials with a good environmental footprint that can be used in the future.
- Use of recycled materials: Recycling materials reduces the need for new raw materials. At the same time, parts that are considered waste elsewhere are converted into resources, reducing the environmental footprint.
- Resource-efficient prefabrication: Prefabrication techniques in the circular system minimise material losses and optimise production. This results in less waste and an overall more efficient manufacturing process.
- Product quality assurance: A circular system ensures that reused materials and components meet the required quality standards. This not only guarantees the longevity of the products, but also strengthens buyers’ trust in the brand.
- CO₂ emissions as a basis for decision-making: CO₂ emissions are already considered in the planning stage, which leads to climate-friendly decisions. This is because products with a low CO₂ footprint actively contribute to climate protection and make circularity an ecologically and economically sensible choice.
How does circularity work in eibe play equipment?
Our play equipment is mostly made of wood, such as robust robinia or durable larch. In addition, there are metal connecting and assembly parts, as well as alternative materials such as ropes or stainless steel, for example for slides. Much of it can be recycled. In the circular economy, it works as follows:
1. Old equipment in the end-of-life phase
Circularity begins with the so-called ‘end of life’ of a play equipment. This means that the play equipment is in the terminal phase, i.e. in the last stages of its life. This is not automatically accompanied by defective components. Rather, it is comparable to an expiring guarantee. The safety of children is the top priority for play equipment, which is why it should be replaced in its ‘end-of-life’ phase.
2. Take-back offer
When play equipment is taken out of service in accordance with our technical specifications, i.e. it is no longer available for use on the playground, the playground operator can either remove it or have it removed. At this point, playground operators are welcome to contact us and we will offer to take the play equipment back.
3. Dismantling
If we have been contacted to collect a play equipment that has been taken out of service, we drive to the respective playground and dismantle it. Thanks to the easy dismantling of our play equipment, it can be guaranteed to be dismantled quickly and easily. The old equipment is then completely disassembled into its individual parts at our factory.
4. Reuse or refurbishment of components and production of new equipment
Next, we check which parts of the old equipment are still usable and can be reused directly, and which parts need to be repaired (refurbished).
5. Planning and construction of the new equipment
Parts that are still usable or have already been overhauled are used in new play equipment. This then delights the children in a schoolyard, a day care centre or in a public play area. Compared to a new device, its environmental balance is significantly better, while it is just as safe and offers at least as much fun.
Circularity at eibe: we are certified
As a company, we are constantly striving to develop and optimise our production processes according to the latest standards. Circularity is an essential part of an environmentally friendly economy. That is why we have been certified by the company Society for Climate Protection Munich. On 15 April 2024, we officially passed the audit for circular production and on 17 April 2024, we received the award at a sustainability workshop.
What does the ‘Circular Product’ certificate stand for?
With the ‘Circular Product’ label, we officially demonstrate the circularity of our products. This means that our play equipment fulfils the requirements of the Society for Climate Protection Munich. The circularity score indicates the percentage to which the respective product fulfils the circularity criteria of the Society for Climate Protection Munich.
What are the circularity criteria?
With the circularity calculator, we test and evaluate each product according to the circularity criteria. The criteria include the following aspects:
• use of renewable raw materials and recycled materials
• product design that is circular and resource-efficient
• guarantee of product quality and durability
• reduction of CO2 emissions
• protection of human health
• protection of the ecosystem and
• social responsibility of the users of the quality mark
(source: test specifications for circular products of the company Society for Climate Protection Munich)
Our ongoing work
We spent the first six months after certification further optimising our production processes and raising our employees’ awareness of the topic. In October, for example, we held a webinar for our sales force on the circular economy, presenting the basics, the status of work and successes such as certification as a “circular product” and the introduction of a product configurator. This tool enables the calculation of emission data and proportions of renewable raw materials and recycled materials, which have been included in quotations since September. On 14 November 2020, we welcomed our entire German sales team to our headquarters in Röttingen for an intensive workshop. We discussed market positioning and developed requirements for the long-term use of the RAL quality mark. The great results and the lively discussion showed the importance and dynamics of the topic for our company, which will certainly grow in the coming years.