Colorado Rubber Barrier™ Earns Certification for Public Roadways
Pretred, Inc., a company focused on sustainable infrastructure solutions, has achieved a milestone with the official certification of its Colorado Rubber Barrier™ for use on public roadways with speed limits up to 44 mph. According to a company press release, this innovation paves the way for replacing traditional concrete and plastic barriers with a durable, environmentally friendly alternative made from recycled waste tires.
A Plastic-Free, Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Barriers
For decades, road barriers have been primarily made from carbon-intensive concrete or plastic, both of which pose significant environmental concerns. Plastic barriers, in particular, contribute to pollution as they are manufactured from virgin plastic and often require hundreds of gallons of water for ballast.
Pretred’s Colorado Rubber Barrier™ offers a sustainable, plastic-free alternative by repurposing waste tires that would otherwise be incinerated or sent to landfills. Each 8-foot barrier utilizes 100 recycled tires, and one mile of these barriers diverts 65,000 tires (750 tons) from waste streams. This innovative solution helps mitigate the growing environmental crisis caused by both plastic waste and concrete production.
Reducing Carbon Footprint and Plastic Waste
Concrete, the second most consumed material on Earth after water, has a massive carbon footprint. According to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, every pound of concrete produced emits 0.93 pounds of CO2. Meanwhile, plastic barriers have their own environmental costs, as plastic manufacturing generates 6 kg of CO2 per kg of product.
Pretred’s Colorado Rubber Barrier™ significantly reduces carbon emissions. A third-party Environmental Impact Assessment by Boundless Impact Research and Analytics found that Pretred barriers have a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) footprint of -107g of CO2 equivalent—283% lower than conventional concrete barriers. One mile of Pretred barriers eliminates 2,750 tons of CO2 emissions.
Certified Safety for Road Users
Safety is paramount when introducing new road infrastructure. According to the press releases, Pretred’s Colorado Rubber Barrier™ underwent rigorous testing under the nationally recognized MASH (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware) Standard. The barriers were tested by Calspan, an independent safety testing provider, using real-world impact scenarios involving small cars and pickup trucks traveling at 44 mph.
The results confirmed that Pretred’s barriers meet or exceed the safety performance of traditional concrete and plastic barriers. Their energy-absorbing properties enhance vehicle impact safety while maintaining structural integrity.
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Road Infrastructure
Pretred CEO Eric Davis emphasizes the broader mission of the company: “With growing emphasis on electric vehicles and emission reductions, we must also address the sustainability of our road infrastructure. Our Colorado Rubber Barrier™ is just the beginning. By replacing carbon-intensive concrete and plastic barriers, we are making America’s roadways greener and more resilient.”
As cities and states increasingly ban plastic products and adopt sustainable procurement policies, Pretred’s recycled rubber barriers may offer a forward-thinking solution. By eliminating plastic, reducing carbon emissions, and diverting waste tires from landfills, Pretred is pioneering a new era in road safety and environmental responsibility.
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