Recently, Ecore and Equinox fitness clubs and other industry leaders collaborated to transform old gym glooring into safe, durable playground surfacing in Los Angeles. Over the course of two weeks, the team removed old flooring from five Equinox locations in the Los Angeles area and recycled it into safety surfacing for 18 Southern California playground.
The project is part of Ecore’s TRUcircularity program, which focuses on reclaiming, recycling and repurposing rubber surfacing, including flooring tracks and playgrounds, to reduce environmental impact. This initiative not only supports environmental mandates but also highlights how companies can contribute to the circular economy.
“Initiatives like TRUcircularity are not just about recycling but about creating a sustainable loop where materials are reused and repurposed continuously,” said Shweta Srikanth, chief circularity officer at Ecore. “Our recent work with Equinox clubs in Los Angeles County is a prime example of how businesses can collaborate to solve environmental challenges while driving value and sustainability. A circular economy can’t be achieved alone—it requires partnerships with committed entities.”
Equinox has been a long-standing partner with Ecore Athletic, using its flooring solutions across multiple locations. From indoor and outdoor sports and recreational tracks and courts to fitness, functional training, health and wellness, and therapy/rehab spaces, the surfaces offer durability, performance and noise absorption in countless design aesthetics.
Equinox strives to edge up the ladder on sustainable fitness every day. Participation in TRUcircularity allowed Equinox to play a significant role in the partnership and proved that the circular model is beneficial to all parties invested. The flooring materials were collected from a few locations in New York City and five locations in Los Angeles. In total, 11,500 square feet of material, equating to about 165,000 pounds, was collected and processed locally within 50 to 75 miles of each club.
Equinox’s participation in this program also allowed it to comply with the updated LA County Construction and Demolition Recycle Reuse Ordinance, which requires 70% of construction and demolition debris to be recycled.
“With the recent updates aiming for higher recycling rates, the program enabled us to comply seamlessly with the 70% C&D waste recycling requirement,” said Ross Gimbel, director of facilities at Equinox. “This partnership not only supports our sustainability goals but also ensures we are aligned with Los Angeles’ evolving environmental standards.”
Once the club floor tiles were collected, they were sent to a facility near Corona, Calif., for conversion into new flooring. The flooring materials were repurposed into Spectra Pour (developed by SpectraTurf) safety surfacing for playgrounds. The flooring tiles from Equinox then made their way into 18 different Southern California playgrounds, including Belvedere Park and South Broadway Pocket Park in Los Angeles County.
“The transition to a circular economy is crucial for sustainability,” said Lisa Anderson, vice president of Ecore’s Construction Unit at SpectraTurf. “Projects like this are not only beneficial for the environment but also show how industries can work together to create real impact. By repurposing gym flooring into playground surfacing, we’re showing the possibilities of a sustainable future.”
Anderson also noted that the short turnaround time for the project—from tile removal to playground installation—was a major achievement. “In just two weeks, we managed to remove, process and install the recycled materials. It’s exciting to think about expanding this model beyond California.”
SpectraTurf also helped streamline the process by assisting with the necessary paperwork to show compliance with recycling requirements. This level of support ensures that all stakeholders meet their sustainability goals while contributing to a larger, circular business model.
Landscape Structures Inc., a company that supplies playground equipment and surfacing to the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Parks and Recreation, played a crucial role in bringing the playgrounds to life.
“Partnering with SpectraTurf on the South Broadway Pocket Park project was a great opportunity to showcase the power of
recycled materials,” said Michael Bennett, president of Landscape Structures. “The surfacing we installed was part of the TRUcircularity program, meaning it’s not only recycled but also recyclable at the end of its life. This is an environmentally responsible approach that benefits both the community and the planet.”
The success of the project in Los Angeles has far-reaching implications. Not only did the project satisfy LA County’s environmental mandates, but it also demonstrated how businesses can work together to address global sustainability challenges.
As the conversation around end-of-life materials continues to evolve, programs like this are leading the way in demonstrating how to turn waste into opportunity. For companies looking to reduce their environmental impact, this full-circle vision offers a pathway to sustainability, health and wellness, and it’s one that is already making a global difference.
This project serves as a testament to the effectiveness of circularity and as a blueprint for future collaborations that drive environmental responsibility and innovation. More companies and communities stand to benefit from sustainable solutions that go beyond performance, creating a better world for future generations.
“Achieving circularity requires partnership and commitment, but when everyone shares a united vision for a cleaner, greener planet, the process becomes seamless and adds immense value,” added Srikanth.