Have you noticed your old playground equipment is sitting around unused, but you’re unsure what to do with it?
Whether your old equipment is worn down, outgrown, or completely unusable, there are a variety of options for disposing of it.
This blog will outline what you can do with your old playground equipment. From donating and repurposing to selling, recycling, and repairing, there are options for everyone – no matter the condition your equipment is in.
Donating old playground equipment
If your old playground equipment is still in good condition and usable, you could consider donating it. This will help organisations create high-quality play spaces that might otherwise be unable to, supporting families and young children from a range of backgrounds.
Before donating your old playground equipment, you should inspect it thoroughly to make sure it is still safe and of good quality. Look for any cracks, rusting, and loose or missing bolts. You should also ensure the equipment has been cleaned.
There are plenty of institutions that would benefit from receiving donated playground equipment, including:
Schools
Playgrounds are great environments for encouraging outdoor learning and educational development. By donating old playground equipment to schools, particularly small ones with a limited budget, you can help them create an engaging play area that facilitates physical development, socialisation, and imaginative play.
Childcare facilities
Similarly to schools, childcare facilities can have a limited budget and can struggle to create high-quality play spaces. Donating old playground equipment can help provide children with access to fun play areas that enhance their physical, social, and educational development.
Local parks and community centres
Local councils and community centres might appreciate being given old playground equipment, as it can help them create recreational play areas for local families and children. Vibrant, exciting playgrounds can give young people a place to socialise and improve community bonding.
Non-profit organisations
Non-profit organisations rely on donations from the public, and might not have the budget to buy new playground equipment. Charities that are related to enriching the lives of underprivileged children and building community engagement might benefit from the donation of old playground equipment.
Selling old playground equipment
If you are looking to make some extra cash from your old playground equipment, why not consider selling it? High-quality, secondhand playground equipment is in demand as families, schools, and local organisations often look for low-cost, budget-friendly playground solutions.
Whether you are looking to sell climbing frames, swing sets, or climbing walls, there are plenty of ways you can sell your old playground equipment:
- By using online marketplaces, like Facebook Marketplace.
- By advertising on local community groups and forums.
- By advertising in the local newspaper.
- By putting up posters on community notice boards.
Top tips for selling your old playground equipment:
- Take high-quality, clear pictures of the item(s) you want to sell from different angles.
- Write a clear, honest description of the product and its condition.
- List any possible issues, such as scratches, chips, or dents.
- Highlight key features of the equipment.
- Research similar listings so you can price your equipment fairly and competitively.
Repurposing old playground equipment
Although your playground equipment may no longer be functional as a play structure, it could still be of use to you. If you are more creative, you could get to work and transform your old playground equipment into something new, whether this is something functional or decorative.
Here are just a few ideas for repurposing your old playground equipment:
- Support plant growth: By planting flowers and vining plants around old playground structures, you can encourage garden growth and create a unique, decorative piece.
- Create plant hangers: Old swingset frames can be used to hang potted plants from. Simply remove the swings from the frame and hang up your pots. Playing around with different heights can add extra visual interest.
- Upcycle equipment: Resurfacing old equipment, adding extras like fairy lights, and repurposing equipment with seating and tables can help you upcycle items into something new, functional, and fun.
- Create homes for animals: Chicken coops and kennels can be created out of old swing sets and climbing frames by enclosing the frame with wire or wood and adding a door.
Repurposing old playground equipment reduces waste while breathing new life into something that you are no longer getting much use out of.
Recycling old playground equipment
A lot of old playground equipment will be made from valuable recyclable materials, such as wood, steel, and plastics. Recycling these materials is a more sustainable option for disposing of your old equipment and helps to reduce waste.
Some recycling centres may even pay for clean, sorted materials, meaning you can profit from getting rid of your waste.
Top tips for recycling old playground equipment:
- Sort the recyclable materials into different piles to simplify the drop-off process and save time.
- Research local recycling centres to learn about their regulations and pick-up and drop-off processes.
Throwing away old playground equipment
If your old playground equipment cannot be donated, sold, repurposed, or recycled, you could hire a professional removal service to take it away. Professional removers are trained to know how to safely disassemble, transport, and dispose of big, bulky pieces of playground equipment.
Although hiring professional removers ensures a quick and efficient disposal, it can be a more expensive option. If you are looking to dispose of your old playground equipment yourself, you will need to safely take it apart before throwing it away.
To safely disassemble old playground equipment, you should:
- Evaluate the structure before you start, identifying any potential hazards.
- Wear appropriate clothing, such as long sleeves, trousers, gloves, and closed-toe shoes, to protect against cuts and scratches.
- Prepare all the tools you will need to take apart the equipment in advance.
- Make sure the area you are working in is clear and you have plenty of space to take the equipment apart.
- Start at the top and work your way down to the base, avoiding the risk of collapse.
Once your playground equipment is disassembled, it can be disposed of – this can be to landfill sites, though recycling centres would be a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
Repairing old playground equipment
Before deciding to dispose of and replace your old playground equipment, consider whether it can be repaired. Wear and tear, loose screws, and cracked hardware can all be repaired, giving your playground equipment a new lease of life and keeps it safe to use.
Repairing your playground equipment can include:
- Replacing timbers
- Repainting metalwork
- Replacing ropes
- Replacing fixings
- Canopy cleaning
- Redefining worn playground markings
Professional playground repair services, such as Sovereign Play’s, can help extend the life of your playground equipment and ensure it is safe to use for years to come.
Learn more about the importance of maintaining your playground.
Maintain and repair old playground equipment with Sovereign Play
At Sovereign Play, we have over 30 years of experience in providing professional playground inspections and maintenance services, as well as playground repairs. We have helped prolong the life of playground equipment across a range of markets, from primary schools and secondary schools to commercial playgrounds and residential areas.
Contact us online today or call our team on 01702 804200 for a free consultation about playground repairs and maintenance.
