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The Role of HippoTile in Eco-Friendly Stables
INTRODUCTION
For the uninitiated, HippoTile is a stable flooring system first written about in Horse and Hound in February 2018 that has been developing since 2010.
Mainly for use in new build stables, HippoTile flooring is used instead of concrete. Made from 100% recycled plastic, under a unique production process, currently undergoing world-wide patent protection, this material allows wet to drain away, whilst keeping all particles on the surface.
Depending on the location and the application, drainage may be simply into the ground beneath or into a drainage system.
ECO-FRIENDLY BENEFITS
SELECTION Using HippoTile, made from recycled plastic, instead of concrete for your new build stable floor reduces associated carbon emissions dramatically.
Using comparative figures for one 12’ x 12’ stable, the HippoTile floor creates over 80% less carbon dioxide than the concrete floor. Carbon emissions for concrete were 4.19 tonnes compared with 0.845 tonnes for HippoTile.
This saving of 3.35 tonnes is equivalent to driving over 5,000 miles in a 7.5 tonne horsebox. This is for ONE average sized stable!
MANAGEMENT - LESS BEDDING IS DISCARDED Using a HippoTile floor instead of concrete or concrete and rubber matting saves significant amounts of bedding, as well as time.
Because a HippoTile floor is warmer and more forgiving, and kinder to joints, less bedding is required to create a comfortable bed.
Because HippoTile flooring allows liquids, both urine and water, to drain through it, directly where it occurs, less bedding has to be discarded.
For the uninitiated, HippoTile is a stable flooring system first written about in Horse and Hound in February 2018 that has been developing since 2010.
Mainly for use in new build stables, HippoTile flooring is used instead of concrete. Made from 100% recycled plastic, under a unique production process, currently undergoing world-wide patent protection, this material allows wet to drain away, whilst keeping all particles on the surface.
Depending on the location and the application, drainage may be simply into the ground beneath or into a drainage system.
ECO-FRIENDLY BENEFITS
SELECTION Using HippoTile, made from recycled plastic, instead of concrete for your new build stable floor reduces associated carbon emissions dramatically.
Using comparative figures for one 12’ x 12’ stable, the HippoTile floor creates over 80% less carbon dioxide than the concrete floor. Carbon emissions for concrete were 4.19 tonnes compared with 0.845 tonnes for HippoTile.
This saving of 3.35 tonnes is equivalent to driving over 5,000 miles in a 7.5 tonne horsebox. This is for ONE average sized stable!
MANAGEMENT - LESS BEDDING IS DISCARDED Using a HippoTile floor instead of concrete or concrete and rubber matting saves significant amounts of bedding, as well as time.
Because a HippoTile floor is warmer and more forgiving, and kinder to joints, less bedding is required to create a comfortable bed.
Because HippoTile flooring allows liquids, both urine and water, to drain through it, directly where it occurs, less bedding has to be discarded.
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Aurora Eastwood, of South Wonston Farm, a livery yard in Hampshire has reported significant savings:
Prior to their new build HippoTile stabling 2 years ago, they had 12 stables and their muck trailer had to be emptied every 5 to 6 days. The new yard has 16 stables. With the same regime, the same muck trailer lasts several days longer, despite the 33% increase in stable number. They love the savings they are making in bedding, packaging, diesel, time and their own energy. It is easy to underestimate how many carbon emissions are associated with every bale of produced bedding. Transport Every type of processed bedding involves huge amounts of transport. From field, or other original source, to processing plant; from plant to wholesaler/retailer/customer; from delivery vehicle to store; from store to stable; from stable to manure heap; from manure heap to further storage; from storage to spreading or alternative disposal. |
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Processing Chopping wood and other materials involves high energy expenditure. Generally speaking, the more absorbent bedding is made the more processing, and associated energy expenditure, has been invested.
Packaging Everyone who uses processed bedding is familiar with that heart-sinking pile of wasted plastic that remains to be disposed of after every new bed has been created, or top ups have been carried out.
And the generation of carbon emissions is not finished once the soiled bedding is on your manure heap! Yet more diesel is required to shift it!
Storage generates emissions, and regulations to protect the environment make disposal ever more complex and expensive.
As can be seen, processing and discarding less bedding would aid the environment in many ways.
Because the absorption factor is not required, HippoTile works well with unprocessed straw, often taken straight from the field, and other less processed beddings, like IEC Equine’s natural miscanthus chip.
LESS WASHING IS REQUIRED Improved air quality is a significant benefit of HippoTile flooring. All HippoTile users appreciate the greatly reduced smell of ammonia in their stables.
As well as helping to eliminate respiratory problems, a direct benefit of this to the environment is that less washing and cleaning is required.
Aurora has noticed:
“It’s the difference between having to wash your hair every day and not. With HippoTile, you don’t have to change your coat to go in the car! Straight off the yard, you become far more socially acceptable!”
Horses’ rugs and blankets requiring much less washing add to the eco-friendly credentials of any yard.
Clients used to their HippoTile stables really notice the strong ammonia smells clinging to ‘rugs, tack, manes, clothing, everything,’ when visiting other yards.
CARBON FOOTPRINT Unlike concrete, HippoTile can be lifted and moved with you, and your stables, if they are sufficiently mobile. We have customers who have taken their stables and their HippoTile with them when moving house.
In the event of the stables themselves being no longer required, HippoTile can be returned directly to our manufacturer and recycled.
We are very excited about the international potential of this cost effective recycling of used plastic. The unique process that is used to make HippoTile can be adjusted to different specifications to produce material for use in rail, construction, horticulture and water management. The vision is to promote manufacturing under licence so that plastics can be recycled and reused efficiently, and to the benefit of the environment, in the country of origin all over the world.
The world’s heavy reliance on plastic, particularly for packaging, will become much less of a threat to the environment once sustainable and commercially viable recycling is established.
“LITTLE TIPS”
When designing a yard, decide on the position of the manure heap and hay storage, as an initial priority, not an afterthought!
Good strategic positioning of muck disposal can save hours of time. The manure heap should be easy to reach and preferably downhill from stables. Ease of removal should also be considered.
We are very lucky with our muck disposal. We used the natural lie of the land to form a large pit just the right distance downhill from our stables. The barrow is very easy to tip and the pile requires almost no organising. The top of the muck is rarely higher than the surface of the field so is out of sight. Having HippoTile, and using small amounts of bedding, and having just two horses, it rots sufficiently quickly to have never required removal.
Packaging Everyone who uses processed bedding is familiar with that heart-sinking pile of wasted plastic that remains to be disposed of after every new bed has been created, or top ups have been carried out.
And the generation of carbon emissions is not finished once the soiled bedding is on your manure heap! Yet more diesel is required to shift it!
Storage generates emissions, and regulations to protect the environment make disposal ever more complex and expensive.
As can be seen, processing and discarding less bedding would aid the environment in many ways.
Because the absorption factor is not required, HippoTile works well with unprocessed straw, often taken straight from the field, and other less processed beddings, like IEC Equine’s natural miscanthus chip.
LESS WASHING IS REQUIRED Improved air quality is a significant benefit of HippoTile flooring. All HippoTile users appreciate the greatly reduced smell of ammonia in their stables.
As well as helping to eliminate respiratory problems, a direct benefit of this to the environment is that less washing and cleaning is required.
Aurora has noticed:
“It’s the difference between having to wash your hair every day and not. With HippoTile, you don’t have to change your coat to go in the car! Straight off the yard, you become far more socially acceptable!”
Horses’ rugs and blankets requiring much less washing add to the eco-friendly credentials of any yard.
Clients used to their HippoTile stables really notice the strong ammonia smells clinging to ‘rugs, tack, manes, clothing, everything,’ when visiting other yards.
CARBON FOOTPRINT Unlike concrete, HippoTile can be lifted and moved with you, and your stables, if they are sufficiently mobile. We have customers who have taken their stables and their HippoTile with them when moving house.
In the event of the stables themselves being no longer required, HippoTile can be returned directly to our manufacturer and recycled.
We are very excited about the international potential of this cost effective recycling of used plastic. The unique process that is used to make HippoTile can be adjusted to different specifications to produce material for use in rail, construction, horticulture and water management. The vision is to promote manufacturing under licence so that plastics can be recycled and reused efficiently, and to the benefit of the environment, in the country of origin all over the world.
The world’s heavy reliance on plastic, particularly for packaging, will become much less of a threat to the environment once sustainable and commercially viable recycling is established.
“LITTLE TIPS”
When designing a yard, decide on the position of the manure heap and hay storage, as an initial priority, not an afterthought!
Good strategic positioning of muck disposal can save hours of time. The manure heap should be easy to reach and preferably downhill from stables. Ease of removal should also be considered.
We are very lucky with our muck disposal. We used the natural lie of the land to form a large pit just the right distance downhill from our stables. The barrow is very easy to tip and the pile requires almost no organising. The top of the muck is rarely higher than the surface of the field so is out of sight. Having HippoTile, and using small amounts of bedding, and having just two horses, it rots sufficiently quickly to have never required removal.
