Rubber Sidewalks Bounce Concrete

Rubber sidewalks have been installed in over 90 cities, including Baltimore, MD. These sidewalks are made out of 100 percent recycled tire rubber and have numerous cost saving and environmental benefits. One of the biggest benefits of rubber sidewalks is that, unlike traditional sidewalks, they permit moisture to reach tree roots. This prevents the roots from growing toward the surface attempting to find water, breaking the concrete, and resulting in repair/replacement and perhaps even lawsuit costs.

Once perceived mainly as a safety surface for playgrounds, rubber sidewalks have developed into a means of preserving urban trees, reducing stormwater runoff, recycling tires, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Rubbersidewalks began installing the modular units in 2002, and its rubber sidewalk products now appear in cities across the country.

Concrete is made from cement, which is a significant source of greenhouse gasses. Worldwide, cement is estimated to account for about 5 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions from human activity, with concrete accounting for about 8 percent overall. Though rubber surfaces do involve some greenhouse gas in the manufacturing process, there would seem to be a savings in emissions related to transportation, installation, maintenance, and urban street tree health.