Bouncing on a trampoline is one of the simplest ways to unwind from the day’s stress. After a long day, one of the refreshing thoughts is coming home to take a shower, eat a good meal, and move to your backyard to unwind.
Trampolines are also excellent additions to your backyard, especially in the summer. They’re bouncy castles for adults. However, they’re so much fun that you likely use them every day. Of course, regular use will eventually affect every item, which certainly doesn’t leave out a trampoline. But in this case, it’s likely the springs that’ll get damaged first.
When it’s time to change them, do you wonder if you can recycle trampoline springs? Particularly when it’s the go-to environmentally friendly waste disposal method these days. Well, if you’re curious about that, then please read on. If you’d also like to know what the springs are made of and other alternatives if recycling isn’t an option, then we’ve got you covered in this blog post. Dive in!
What are Trampoline Springs Made of?
Trampolines have been built to withstand heavyweights. As a result, you and a couple of other people can bounce on a single one without breaking it. Have you ever wondered why?
Well, it can largely be attributed to the materials for making the springs, mat, and frame. However, we’re focusing on the springs, and they’re responsible for taking you to those great heights.
Each trampoline has many springs connecting the mat and the frame. Now, these springs have to be firm enough to bounce you safely without putting you in harm’s way.
So, they’re made from galvanized, non-corrosive steel. The non-corrosive steel is important because it ensures that you don’t have to move your trampoline in and out of your house every time you want to use it.
You can leave it outside without worrying about the springs getting susceptible to extreme weather conditions.
Other materials commonly used to make trampoline springs include fiber rods and bungee rope springs. However, every material has to meet up the standards set by the American Society for Testing and Material Standards.
Can Trampoline Springs Be Recycled?
Absolutely. Most trampoline springs are made from metals, and metals are widely acceptable recycling materials.
You can take yours to your local recycling center to have it recycled. But it’s best to ask first if there are provisions for it. Most recycling centers will accept it, but it’s also not uncommon to find some that won’t.
However, if that’s the case, then you can find a metal recycling company that’s willing to take on your trampoline springs. You can use the internet to find the one nearest to you.
Alternatively, you could also donate or sell the springs to a scrapyard. You can sell them for a substantial amount if they meet the required minimum weight most scrapyards demand.
Now, here’s a caveat. If your trampoline springs are made from bungee ropes, then you certainly cannot recycle them. They can damage the recycling machine and even put the health of the workers at stake. So, it’s best to toss these in the garbage can when they’re damaged beyond repair.
Can Trampoline Parts be Recycled?
There are three main parts of a trampoline. They include the springs, the mat, and the frame, all of which can be recycled.
Since we already explored how to recycle trampoline springs, we’ll focus on the other parts. Let’s get started.
Recycling Trampoline Mats
Trampoline mats are made from woven fiber, and they can be polyethylene or nylon. Now, polyethylene is one of the easiest materials to recycle. You can easily find a recycling center that’ll take your trampoline mat made from polyethylene off your hands.
It’s also best to recycle it because of its impact on the environment if it’s not disposed of properly. You see, polyethylene is made from plastic, and this special material can last as long as four hundred years on a landfill.
That’s taking up a lot of space, in addition to polluting the environment. Also, it’s non-biodegradable, and while it slowly breaks down, it’ll release many toxic gases into the environment.
Even when it eventually breaks down, the particles will remain in the soil, further polluting it. These microplastics can also find their way to a water body and wreak havoc on our marine life.
So, you see, it’s best to take the safest way out for our environment by recycling your trampoline mats made from polyethylene. It’s straightforward; simply inquire if your recycling center accepts it. Don’t forget to ask for its recycling requirements too.
On the other hand, trampoline mats are also made from nylon materials. Unfortunately, nylon is also a type of plastic that can damage the environment if it’s not well disposed of.
That’s why it’s important to recycle nylon products. For your trampoline mat, you can ask at your recycling center if they accept nylon items. Of course, they most likely would, as nylon is also one of the most recycled materials.
Even if they don’t, you can use a recycling locator to find the closest company or recycling center that’s willing to accept your nylon waste.
Recycling Trampoline Frames
Trampoline frames are made from galvanized, corrosive-resistant steel. Just like the springs, they’re made this way to withstand extreme weather. As long as you don’t expose these parts to chlorine or excess moisture, they won’t rust.
Now, how do you recycle trampoline frames? First, you can take them to a scrapyard. Here, you’ll make easy money by selling them if they’re up to the minimum weight scrapyards accept for sale.
On the other hand, you can recycle them at a metal recycling company if curbside recycling in your area doesn’t accommodate metal recycling.
Can You Spray Paint Trampoline Springs?
To spruce things up, you may want to paint your trampoline. Spray paint is an excellent option, and it’ll get the job done well and on time. It’ll also ensure that enough paint gets into all the crevices of your springs.
Trampoline springs are made from metals, which means it’s possible to spray paint them. First, however, there’s a preparation process you have to complete to get it done properly.
Now, the springs are made from corrosive-resistant steel. That means they have elements of chromium in them. Chromium is what makes a metal rust-resistant, and it needs sufficient oxygen to protect the metals.
You’ll have to choose your spray paint carefully and ensure the primer you choose doesn’t prevent oxygen from getting to the chromium in the springs. It’s also best to choose a water-proof spray paint a sit protects the springs from moisture, inducing corrosion.
To get started, you can coat the springs with a quality primer. Then, spray paint all the parts to ensure they have the same color. You can spray the springs twice for maximum results.
6 Amazing Ways To Dispose of Old Trampoline Springs
Now, it’s time to get creative! Recycling is a proper way to dispose of unwanted items. It protects the environment and also provides more materials for manufacturers to work with.
However, upcycling is also an excellent option. It would be best if you considered upcycling before resorting to recycling, and there are several things you can do with your old trampoline springs before you finally recycle them.
1. Trampoline hammock
You can transform your old trampoline springs and frame into a hammock, swinging bed, or porch swing. However, for safety purposes, if you’re not handy or experienced with tools, we recommend that you contract this task to someone who is.
You can suspend your trampoline swings from hanging, string ropes in your bedroom, on your porch, or even in your garden. After securing the trampoline springs, you can then place a soft, bouncy bed on them.
It’s perfect for relaxing under the stars, on your porch, or even getting a good night’s sleep in your bedroom.
2. Hanging porch plants
This is a crafty and unique decorative tip. You can take out the springs individually and connect the first one be to your porch. Then, on the other side, you’ll hang the planter’s handle and let it swing from it.
Alternatively, you can place the entire trampoline swings against the wall of your home and hang several planters off it. This is another type of makeshift garden that also displays your plants and beautifies your home.
It’s also a perfect spot for hanging flowers because they’ll receive adequate sunlight, oxygen, and of course, care.
3. Elevated garden
Well, another way to upcycle your trampoline springs is to turn them into an elevated garden. So, this time, your trampoline will serve your plants in an upturned position.
After flipping it over, you can place some well-spaced planters on it. An elevated garden is pretty handy for protecting your plants from rodents while also giving your garden a mesmerizing view. It’s perfect for planting flowers, herbs, and just about any other thing you like. It also gives your garden an aesthetically pleasing look.
4. Chicken pen
If you fancy keeping livestock, then here’s an awesome way to control them without breaking your bank. A few yards of welded wire and your old trampoline springs will keep the chickens well caged.
Again, you’ll be flipping over the trampoline frame and wrapping it with the welded wire. Of course, you shouldn’t forget to cut design a section that allows you to get in and out of the chicken pen. So, if you don’t consider yourself handy with tools, you may want to contract the job to someone who is.
5. Rodent-proof garden
Are you tired of rodents feeding on your plants? If you’ve been a victim of this frustrating occurrence before, then you must be actively looking for ways to end it.
Well, you can use your trampoline springs to surround a portion of your garden. Next, you can also use a few yards of welded wire to surround the makeshift rodent-proof garden. But again, if you aren’t skilled with handling tools, it’s best to find someone who is. This is to ensure longevity.
6. Garden arch
A garden arch is something you hardly see these days, even though it’s a beautiful addition to any home. You can suspend the trampoline spring over a portion of your garden and plant crawling plants all over.
Conclusion
Decluttering is inevitable, especially when the items in question are large and take up space. You can’t keep them forever, so you’ll have to find a way to dispose of them properly. In this article, we’ve dived into the various ways to dispose of trampoline springs, and the final resort is to recycle them.
You can start by upcycling the springs. You’ll always find wonderful ways to reuse them in one regard or the other. So, please use these tips to make environmentally-oriented decisions.
