GroundScape Technologies Creates Mulch Products from Recycled Tires

Cleveland, OH - Brooklyn Heights-based GroundScape Technologies(TM) is busy recycling shredded rubber tires into a new generation of alternative landscape and playground surface products— a business that will capture a projected $1 million in sales during 2001.

The 12-employee company shreds and colors tire rubber to manufacture two products: GroundScape(TM) and GroundScape Kids(TM). Ground-Scape(TM), a durable, natural-looking mulch alternative, installs as easily as traditional mulch but never deteriorates, making it ideal for a wide variety of landscaping applications. GroundScape Kids(TM) is a loose-fill playground safety surface that provides maximum protection against playtime injuries and lasts for years without losing its effectiveness as a safety surface, saving money for childcare facilities, schools and parks nationwide.

"GroundScape Kids(TM) offered the best fall absorbency of any loose-fill product we considered. Plus, it was substantially more cost effective than any of the 'poured-in-place' or mat systems," comments Amy Speidel of Cleveland's St. Paul's Episcopal Church. "Besides being a great safety surface, GroundScape Kids(TM) is clean, allows for quick drainage and looks natural. It offers a very tactile experience for kids and they love to play on it!"

Product sales have tripled in the past months following a partnership agreement with Second Generation Ltd. in April, 2001. The Cleveland-based venture capitalist provided additional resources to spur GroundScape Technologies' exponential growth with an investment of over $1 million.

The pending patent on its coloring process, along with potential annual sales as high as $50 million, attracted Second Generation to GroundScape Technologies.