A patio that looks great and gives back to the environment

During the last year alone, more than 290 million scrap tires ended up in landfills according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Adding to the volume of municipal waste is an ever greater percentage of plastic household items, about 26.7 million tons per year. As our available landfill space shrinks, finding new ways to reuse and reduce this waste will become increasingly important.

One company has found a way to do both. VAST Enterprises, makers of a new environmentally responsible alternative to concrete and clay pavers, offers homeowners a high-quality option for creating custom patio or walkway spaces that are also kind to the environment.

“With government programs and green living lifestyles growing, we felt it was the right time to reinvent the traditional landscape paver — something that hasn’t changed in decades,” said Andy Vander Woude, vice president of marketing for VAST Enterprises. “By combining recycled materials with cutting-edge composite material technology, we developed a product that’s 100-percent recyclable, easier to install than traditional pavers and has a beautiful natural look and texture.”

The pavers are made from approximately 95 percent recycled materials such as recycled tires and plastic bottles, waste that normally would have ended up in a landfill. They are just as durable as traditional pavers, but unlike concrete and clay, the recycled material resists chemicals, absorbs almost no water and won’t crack in cold weather climates. Another plus, they are one-third the weight of concrete.

In addition to being easier to handle, they are also much easier to install than traditional pavers. Thanks to an innovative system that resembles an oversized Lego set, pavers can be inserted into a grid pattern, and alignment and leveling is automatic. Once they are secured with a compactor, sand swept into the joints completes the installation.

Being socially responsible doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice aesthetics. The pavers come in a variety of colors, designed to provide a natural always wet look that doesn’t tarnish or fade.

“Taking steps toward a sustainable lifestyle feels good,” said Vander Woude. “The result is buildings and landscapes that are healthier for homeowners and less burdensome on the environment; the methods can save us money and time, and enrich our overall quality of life.”

To find out how to install a patio, walkway or driveway that will be beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly, visit vast-enterprises.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent