The city of Miamisburg is taking a novel approach to sustainability, installing benches recycled from wind turbines.
Wind turbines are difficult to recycle because the materials used to construct them are hard to separate from each other.
But recycling technology for wind turbines is on the rise, including the use of these materials to construct benches.
Some are already installed at Miamisburg’s Riverfront Park, which was reopened last spring. Six benches will be placed at the Sycamore Trails Park, which is slated to reopen this fall.
The benches at the Riverfront Park have already made a lasting impression on folks that encounter them, said Ryan Davis, the city’s parks and recreation director.
“As they walk around and learn that they are recycled wind turbines, their jaw kind of drops and they get intrigued about how (the benches) came to be,” Davis said.
Each of the benches will feature unique designs from local artists. That includes one featuring handprints from community members.
Stephanie Sercu, communications and marketing administrator for the Parks and Rec office, said the local artists have been working on painting since last December.
“Anytime that we can put public art in Miamsburg, we're always kind of looking for new ways to do that,” Sercu said.
Every park may have benches, but no park will ever have benches like the ones that will be at Sycamore Trails, said Davis.
“Not only (because of) what material it's made out of, but then how each unique artist has made it their own. And that makes it a little bit more special than just a park bench,” he said.
The company Canvus that produced these benches no longer makes them. But another company called NobleWins has taken over the reins of the design and creation of them.
