Austin Unveils Recycled Rubber Sidewalk Project

The City of Austin, Texas has launched a new eco-friendly sidewalk project in central Austin designed to promote sustainable urban infrastructure and better protect local trees.

Austin partnered with Capitol Flexi-Pave and University Areas on the project. The initiative, backed by local partnerships, aims to create healthier urban spaces while aligning with the city council’s green initiatives to integrate more street trees.

The newly completed sidewalk is made from Flexi-Pave, a paving material comprised of tire-derived recycled rubber, aggregate rock and a binding agent, that is porous and flexible.

“The beauty of Flexi-Pave lies in its permeability,” city officials said in a news briefing.  “Concrete requires digging to set, limiting its application near trees as they would damage the roots.

While concrete is impervious and no liquid can penetrate the material, Flexi-Pave’s permeability allows for water to flow through, providing better groundwater recharge protecting the roots, they said”.

Virginia-based Capitol Flexi-Pave is led by degreed urban foresters who spent years designing new ways to preserve trees in challenging urban settings, Capitol Flexi-Pave said.

Compared to concrete, Flexi-Pave is porous and flexible, which company officials said are key to maintaining trees while offering paving solutions.

Company officials added there were some porous concrete and rubber pavement options prior to the introduction of Flexi-Pave, but those could end up being warped by extreme weather conditions and required more substantive maintenance and upkeep.

This project represents a positive step towards a greener future for Austin schools and the community, city officials said.

© Scrap Tire News, April 2025