Super Eco

Photo credit: Rubbersidewalks

There's a reason the phrase "pounding the pavement" came into existence—ohhh, my aching legs! The same inflexibility that makes concrete so durable gives tenacious tree roots near concrete sidewalks the ability to twist and crack the sidewalks within three to 10 years. Pedestrians trip and fall, litigation ensues ... And many cities respond by hacking down offending trees that are running up their paving and legal bills.

Until now. Rubber Sidewalks turns recycled tires into an interlocking, water-pervious sidewalk paving system that flexes when tree roots do. The company's new Terrewalks system boasts an impressive list of LEED credentials.

• Recycled content Terrewalks uses 100% recycled content, including scrap car tires and waste plastic. Each Terrewalks paver diverts 36 pounds of waste plastic and rubber from landfill.
• Regional materials Terrewalks, which is manufactured in California, diverts low density polyethylene plastic (LDPE) and scrap tires from landfill.
• Storm water design Terrewalks is water-pervious, allowing storm water and runoff to drain at more than 97.2 inches per hour. Its underbase channel system is designed for water capture. Terrewalks can be combined with other storm water management solutions to further accommodate this LEED credit.
• Heat island effect Terrewalks' permeability reduces the heat island effect (thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped areas, which can have a negative impact on the microclimate and human and wildlife habitat) and is available in a TerreCool version that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.
• Innovation in design Rubbersidewalks, Inc., pioneered modular pavement as an alternative to concrete and asphalt.

All this, plus an attractive, low-maintenance, more forgiving walking surface? Sounds like an innovation that's green to knees and trees alike.