Where does rubber come from anyway?
Unlike money, rubber actually does grow on trees. That is, naturally occurring latex does. Natural rubber or latex begins its lifecycle when the Para rubber tree is tapped for sap, not unlike how our Quebequois friends bring us maple syrup.

Yet, the majority of rubber products you and I are familiar with are made not from natural latex, but from synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber is derived from petroleum and other minerals, and is made into tires, gaskets, seals, moldings, carpet backing, bouncing balls, hoses, and wet suits for starters. (IISRP)

But, according to the Minnesota Building Materials Database, synthetic rubber has a high embodied energy. Embodied energy is a measure of the total energy required for sourcing or extracting raw material, material processing, manufacture and even transportation to the end material’s point of use. In a nutshell, look for materials with a lower embodied energy when possible.

What About Recycled Rubber?
Logically, when you cut out the raw material extraction phase of a product’s lifecycle, the energy savings are fantastic: recycling rubber rather than producing it from scratch can yield a 70% energy savings (Mumma, 1995)! While it’s true that collecting, processing, and remanufacturing recyclable materials takes a massive amount of energy, it’s safe to say that the benefits and savings are worthwhile.

Still, no matter how hard you try you can’t deny the fact that a recycled product retains many of the characteristics from its raw ‘material of origin’. In other words, this recycled content apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

Durability
While a great deal of rubber’s ecofeatures appear fairly tarnished (high embodied energy, non-renewable materials, use of toxins and pollutants in manufacture), one cannot deny the many applications it enables. That we all wear rubber on the soles of our shoes, nevermind those who count on it to run marathons, is a statement about its durability.

There are times when durability trumps biodegradability, and vice versa. It all depends on the use of the product and your personal values. If product A has a higher environmental impact than product B, but lasts three times longer and requires minimal maintenance, it may indeed be ‘greener’ than the alternative. By the same token, if a product is intended to last just a short while and can be disposed of responsibly (recycled, or composted perhaps), the less durable but biodegradeable option likely makes the most sense.

Recyclability
Rubber is such a widely used material and has long been recycled. Yet within the waste stream, rubber is problematic. Stockpiled tires create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like West Nile Virus. Incinerated tires and stockpiled tires that have ignited release toxic chemicals and pollutants into air, soil, and water (WRG).

Rubber recycling effectively saves energy and raw materials, while preventing the sorry side effects of incineration and ‘tire dumps’, and making use of an abundant material with an established market.

Recycled Rubber Tiles and Pavers
Given the weight and friction that tires can withstand, it’s no shocker to see rubber’s next incarnation as a series of patterns under foot. Ecoflex is a line of Canadian-made 100% recycled rubber bricks, pavers, and surfacing materials.

Though not necessarily new, recycled rubber bricks are gaining ground in Canadian yards front and back, at the pool’s edge, on driveways, on decks and patios, and on stair treads. With Canada’s collective eco-consciousness in bloom, Ecoflex’s manufacturer Champagne Edition offers 9 styles of brick and interlocking tile in 6 colours for a total of 48 uniquely recycled choices for any yard.

Aside from the flexibility to customize brick patterns and colours to the character of your home, Ecoflex products boast an exceptional density and durability. That and they’re a lot easier to install than their heavier concrete block or ceramic brick counterparts. And while you can return them to the factory for recycling when you’re done with them, you’re not likely to need to since they’ll be in such good shape that they could better be reused and tread on elsewhere.

Champagne Edition is no newcomer to recycling, having churned out Ecoflex bricks and tiles for the past 11-12 years of its 16-year existence. For every 100 square feet of brick, this 2004 Emerald Award winner pumps new life into up to 20 car and light truck tires. And, I’m told by Sales Spokesperson Jim Hills that the glue in the product becomes inert once set, so not to worry about the glue itself off-gassing.

Environmentally speaking, Ecoflex products are a fine choice, especially if you live in Western Canada due to shorter shipping distances. Compare this with similar products made in China. They are Canadian-made, 100% recycled, durable, reusable and recyclable. Their embodied energy is far lower than non-recycled options to boot. Interlocking tile panels range between $5.44 and $7.50 per square foot, and the z-bricks ring in at $8-11 per square foot. See the Ecoflex dealer listing for sources from BC to Ontario.

Contact:
Jim Hills
Box 29, Site 13, RR#1
Legal, Alberta T0G 1L0
(866) 326-3539 (Toll-Free)
info@eco-flex.com
References

International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP), Retrieved July 5, 2008 from http://www.iisrp.com/index.html

Minnesota Building Materials Database (MBMD), Retrieved July16, 2008 from http://www.buildingmaterials.umn.edu/09654_health.html

Mumma, T. (1995) Home Energy Magazine Online, Reducing the Embodied Energy of Buildings. Retrieved July 16, 2008.

Western Rubber Group (WRG). Background of Tire Recycling. Retrieved July 16, 2008.

*Note: All photos above supplied by Champagne Edition and posted with permission.