Excellent Eco Considerations at Elburton Primary – Plymouth, Devon – September 2025

During the long, hot summer of 2025, the Rhino Play team completed a significant playground installation project at Elburton Primary School in Plymouth. This school, part of the Learning Academies Trust (LAT) network of 18 schools, chose our environmentally-friendly recycled plastic playground equipment to enhance their outdoor play provision.

Project Requirements and Consultation

When our Head of Sales, Stuart, met with the school’s Headteacher Keith and Site Manager Nick, they expressed a clear preference for non-timber equipment. Their previous experiences with wooden playground structures had resulted in costly maintenance issues and extended periods where play equipment was unavailable whilst awaiting repairs.
The school sought a sustainable, durable solution that would:

• Require minimal ongoing maintenance
• Provide exceptional longevity
• Meet their environmental commitments
• Create visual appeal, as the playing field is highly visible from the main road into Plymouth from the South Hams

This visibility factor was particularly important, as attractive playground facilities help showcase the school to prospective parents and enhance the school’s profile within the community.

Sustainable Material Choice – Recycled Plastic Playground Equipment

Elburton Primary School specifically requested our non-rotting recycled plastic play equipment, recognising that whilst the initial investment was approximately 25% higher than timber alternatives, the long-term benefits substantially outweighed this cost difference. These advantages include virtually maintenance-free operation, significantly extended lifespan, reduced environmental impact, and superior aesthetic appeal.

Professional Installation and Safety Features

Our installation team prepared the site thoroughly, excavating the area and installing a protective membrane before adding aggregate infill to ensure stability and proper drainage. We then applied our bound Rubber Mulch safety surfacing, providing excellent fall protection whilst allowing year-round use in most weather conditions.

Project Outcomes

The completed playground has delivered excellent results for Elburton Primary School. The school has expressed high satisfaction with the entire process from initial consultation through design, planning and installation. They particularly commended our installation team for being friendly, professional, adaptive and helpful throughout the project.

This successful installation demonstrates Rhino Play’s commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality commercial playground solutions for educational settings. Our recycled plastic playground equipment offers schools a durable, environmentally-responsible alternative to traditional timber structures, with enhanced longevity and reduced maintenance requirements.

For more information about our recycled plastic playground equipment for schools and educational settings, contact our team at Rhino Play. We specialise in creating bespoke, sustainable play solutions that enhance learning environments and deliver long-term value.