A growing movement to repurpose waste tires into safe, durable recreational surfaces is sweeping across Kenya, addressing both environmental pollution and public safety concerns. Companies specializing in rubber recycling are collecting discarded tires—a significant waste challenge in urban areas—and processing them into colorful, shock-absorbent tiles and pour-in-place surfaces for playgrounds, sports courts, and jogging tracks. This innovative approach not only diverts thousands of tires from landfills and illegal dumping sites but also creates much-needed safe play spaces for children in schools and public parks across the country.
The manufacturing process involves shredding tires into small rubber crumbs, then binding them with polyurethane or other adhesives to create interlocking tiles or seamless surfaces. The resulting products offer significant advantages over traditional materials like concrete or compacted earth: they provide critical fall protection, reducing injury risk from playground falls; they are durable enough to withstand Kenya’s climate extremes; and they require minimal maintenance. In Nairobi’s informal settlements, where safe play areas are scarce, these rubberized surfaces are transforming dusty, hazardous spaces into vibrant, protected zones where children can play safely. The surfaces have also proven popular for outdoor gyms and sports facilities, providing better traction and joint protection for athletes.
The long-term success of this initiative depends on creating sustainable collection systems and expanding market demand. The model creates green jobs in waste collection, processing, and installation, while addressing a persistent environmental problem—an estimated 200,000 waste tires are generated annually in Nairobi alone. As county governments prioritize public recreation facilities, specifications are increasingly requiring these recycled surfaces for new projects. The industry faces the challenge of ensuring consistent quality and combating cheaper, imported alternatives, but growing environmental awareness is driving preference for locally made, sustainable products. This circular economy approach demonstrates how Kenya can transform waste challenges into opportunities for community improvement, creating safer environments for children while cleaning up urban landscapes.