Progress over perfection
As a responsible outdoor playground and fitness site manufacturer, we recognise an important truth: hardly any product or playground manufacturer can genuinely claim to be fully sustainable. Sustainability is not a fixed label; it is a complex, evolving ambition that spans an entire value chain.
Every product relies on resources, energy and logistics that leave an environmental footprint somewhere, whether through raw material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, use or end‑of‑life treatment. Even the most carefully designed products involve trade‑offs between durability, safety, performance and environmental impact.
True sustainability requires a full life‑cycle perspective, and that level of transparency is difficult to achieve in global supply chains. Materials may be responsibly sourced, but processing them still requires energy. Products may be designed to last decades, yet their production can never be completely free of emissions or waste.
Add to this the fact that sustainability criteria are constantly evolving, driven by science, regulation and societal expectations. And it becomes clear why absolute claims are problematic. What was considered sustainable a decade ago may no longer meet today’s standards.
That is why we choose progress over perfection. Instead of declaring our products “sustainable”, we focus on improving sustainability, measurably and continuously. We reduce impact where possible, design for longevity and repair, choose better materials and document our decisions transparently.
In a world where no product is impact‑free, honest communication and continuous improvement are the most sustainable choices we can make, for playgrounds, for communities and for future generations.
Sustainability in action
We are fighting the climate change by documented reduction in carbon footprint, recycled content and end-of-life recyclability
Playgrounds are more than just a place for children to play, learn and develop their skills. Behind the swings and slides lies the reality that playgrounds have a deep environmental footprint. From the moment the raw materials are extracted to the time when the play equipment needs to be disposed of, each phase of a playground’s life cycle poses a potential challenge to our environment.
In our efforts to fight climate change, we chose the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to help us identify what matters and where we can focus our efforts on areas with significant impact on reducing our carbon footprint. We found that approximately 80% of our carbon emissions were from the raw materials used in our production of playground and fitness equipment. We have a responsibility to reduce that number. Therefore, we continuously work to reduce our usage of raw materials by replacing them and instead using recycled or natural materials that emit fewer carbon emissions.
We are well on our way. Since 2024, our playground components have been made from up to more than 95% post-consumer recycled waste materials in all colours as the standard*.
*>95% post-consumer recycled waste used in HDPE panels, in the CircularYarn of the Corocord™ Rope, and the TexMade™ posts.
The KOMPAN carbon footprint
Logistics 10%
We work with logistic partners with a dedicated agenda on reducing CO₂e and delivering transparent data.
Electricity 5%
We are certified with ISO 50001:2019 Energy Management System (EMS). We have installed solar panels at our HQ.
Fuel 3%
We have converted to hybrid and e-cars.
Waste 1%
We are certified with ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS)
Air travel 1%
We minimise (air) travel and conduct e-meetings instead.
Raw materials 80%
We continuously work to reduce our usage of raw materials by replacing them and instead using recycled or natural materials that emit fewer carbon emissions.
‘To make fundamental changes, you need to look at the entire life cycle of your products. It’s not enough to cherry-pick the parts of your value chain where you perform most favourably. From the beginning, we decided on a complete and transparent account of how our business impacts our climate.’
Dorthe Thorup-Kjærulff
KOMPAN's Go Green Director
Using recycled and natural raw materials
We are fighting the climate change by documented reduction in carbon footprint, recycled content and end-of-life recyclability
As evidenced, in our industry, more than 80% of carbon emissions come from the use of raw materials. So, at KOMPAN, we have chosen to face the challenge head-on, and our goal is to develop new, greener materials. As a result, we can now deliver full-solution playgrounds with Made Green or Born Green products.
products are made from materials with at least 51% and up to 95% post-consumer recycled materials, such as recycled fishing nets, used textiles, food packaging, used plastic bags, etc. In producing KOMPAN Made Green products, we work purposefully to continually increase the proportion of recycled materials. The process and improvements are well documented, and the products are third-party verified.
means that the products are made from natural hardwood such as robinia. Robinia is very durable and has natural protection against rot and fungus, so it does not require chemical wood preservatives. It is a fast-growing tree that is found in large forest areas in Eastern Europe. KOMPAN Robinia products comply with EUDR requirements and can be supplied with FSC® certification (C004450).
Built to last
Highest quality materials
CircularHDPE panels
Our 19mm CircularHDPE panels are made from responsible materials that are not only recyclable after use but also made from >95% post-consumer recycled waste.
UV-protected coloured outer layers
Highly durable in any environment
Supported by a lifetime warranty
Decks & Steps
All our equipment decks are supported by uniquely designed low-carbon aluminium profiles with multiple attachment options, increasing their strength. Our grey-coloured moulded decks and steps are made from 75% post-consumer recycled polypropylene material with a non-skid pattern and textured surface.
Tempered Corocord™ rope with CircularYarn
Ropes come with galvanised six-stranded steel wires and a steel core, impossible to wear through. Each strand is tightly wrapped with CircularYarn in >95% post-consumer recycled material, which is melted onto each individual strand, making the ropes highly wear and vandalism-resistant.
Galvanised steel
Our steel surfaces and steel frames are hot-dip galvanised inside and outside with lead-free zinc. The galvanisation has excellent corrosion resistance in outside environments and is maintenance-free.
Roto-moulded items (e.g. slides and seats)
Our moulded plastic items are made from 33% post-consumer recycled material in all colours. The teal-coloured items are made from recycled fishing nets from the maritime industry. All items are moulded in one piece, providing strength and minimising weakness caused by joints.
Robinia wood
Robinia wood is a very strong and long-lasting material with a very high level of natural oils. Thus robinia wood makes durable playgrounds which are close to maintenance free and able to last for many years. KOMPAN robinia products can come with FSC®-certification (FSC C004450).
Posts
Main posts are available in five different materials.
1. Impregnated pine wood with an in-ground steel footing.
2. Galvanised steel with powder-coated top finish.
3. Colour-anodised lead-free aluminium, made from low-carbon aluminium.
4. TexMade™ posts are made from >95% postconsumer recycled textile and plastic waste.
5. Low-carbon pre-galvanised steel posts made from 80% post-consumer recycled material.
Now In All Colors
CircularHDPE Panels
CircularHDPE panels are available in our full range of colors—all made from carefully selected post‑consumer recycled materials. The teal panels are produced from recycled ocean waste collected from the maritime industry, including fishing nets, ropes, and trawl nets, while all other colors are made from post‑consumer household waste.
Using EcoCore™ HDPE panels made from >95% post‑consumer recycled waste instead of virgin plastic reduces carbon emissions by up to 82% CO2e/kg.
Designing Greener Playgrounds
In a world where no product is impact‑free, honest communication and continuous improvement are the most sustainable choices we can make—for playgrounds, for communities, and for future generations.
In this brochure, you can read more about how you can play your part by making greener playground choices.
![Green [Test] - Sector Architects - image](https://images.ctfassets.net/0ls885pa980u/3WdAyPXNh75vN2GFsBYbld/953f99f19c8e901d81e09c48603db72f/DSC08032.jpg?w=610&h=610&fit=fill&f=center&q=90&fm=avif)
![Green [Test] - Sector Park and Rec - image](https://images.ctfassets.net/0ls885pa980u/6ghYySc767Fr9U5kElcs8u/0c92f8b8531e841cae9154a67ed2b8f6/DSC07404.jpg?w=610&h=610&fit=fill&f=center&q=90&fm=avif)
Explore More Resources on Greener Playgrounds
Read and learn more about our approach on working with recycled materials in playground components.
The New Look of a Reduced Carbon Footprint
Architect Alexander Sundberg assures that TexMade™ posts and plastic alternatives, developed from textile waste and post-consumer sources, rival steel and plastic in durability. Playground solutions can be as colorful as your heart desires—but with a dramatically reduced carbon footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Born Green means products are made from natural hardwoods like Robinia. Robinia is highly durable and does not require any chemical wood preservatives. KOMPAN Robinia products are also available with an FSC® certification (C004450).
Made Green products are made of up to 95% post-consumer recycled materials: ocean waste, used textiles, used plastic bags, etc. Made Green products reduce carbon emissions by approximately 50% compared to products made from virgin materials.
Yes, we have launched a vast assortment of products in our Made Green range. There are products for different age groups and activity types.
Yes, we have very high standards regarding our quality; we have the same high standards when it comes to our green assortment.
Yes, you can find a CO2e footprint for all of our standard products on the KOMPAN website. They can be found on the various product sheets.
While we still offer the less sustainable options, we are working on making all our products greener. We have a vast assortment, so realistically, it will take time; however, we will get there.
Made Green products all use post-consumer waste. Post-consumer waste is more time-consuming to retrieve. You have to collect, clean, and sort the waste before it can be used again. So, it is a bit more expensive; however, it saves a lot of CO2e.
Yes, all of our post-consumer recycled products can be used again. They are constructed with this in mind and can be disassembled, collected, sorted, and reused again.
Almost all our products can be recycled again. Those that are recyclable can be disassembled so that the raw material, e.g. plastic, steel, and aluminum, can be sorted, collected, and reused. Some raw materials, however, cannot be recycled again. All wood types are not considered recyclable. HPL, WPC, and rope are also not recyclable.
Yes, you can replace, e.g., a deck in our Moments™ play system from HPL to a molded deck that uses post-consumer ocean waste. HDPE panels can also be replaced with the post-consumer ocean waste material version.
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