Whether hosting a casual summer cookout or stashing your sandals and towels after a trip to the beach, the Recycled Black Garden Trug from Spanish company Fiel is versatile enough to handle it all. We love that this flexible bucket is made from polyethylene used for manufacturing tires and comes in several sizes.

It looks durable enough that it could last for several years, even stored outdoors and exposed to the elements (after all, tires are made to withstand harsh winters, spring showers, and everything in between). We can totally picture this trug sitting in a hallway to collect dripping umbrellas, in a cute little shed to hold gardening tools, or at a backyard BBQ filled with ice and cold drinks.

Tell us! Where and how would you use this handy little trug? What other uses can you think of?

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Ground-up tires, commonly known as tire crumb, have been used for years to provide surface cushioning to children’s playgrounds and sport fields. Considered a safe and effective material that was not only easy on the bones but also a great way of recycling, tire crumb was endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and consumer groups. In fact, it was just recently laid down for the new White House playground.

But now doubts are surfacing about using recycled tires in the playground. Throughout the country, communities have been voicing concerns about chemicals that might be leaching from the shredded tires, causing potential health risks to children.

As a result of this concern, local studies looking at leaching and breathable air above sports fields are being undertaken to determine the risks.

However, one problem with local studies is that they often lack comprehensive data and therefore fail to consider all factors, such as the age and location of the playing field or playground. Age is important because wear and tear could make older fields more of a health risk. And location is important because tire manufacturers around the country differ and therefore so does the chemical makeup of the tires.

In New York City, one such study found no significant health or environmental concerns.  Despite the initial finding, the New York City officials have decided that their new sports fields will no longer use tire crumbs.

Meanwhile, EPA field scientists are doing their own study, collecting air and surface samples from four fields and playgrounds that have use recycled tires.  Results of this limited study will be made available sometime in June. We’ll keep you updated on the findings.

Source

Image: sidewalk flying

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