Crumb rubber mulch professional#

Using rubber mulch also prevents old tires and other rubber products from ending up in a landfill. It fends off weed growth and can last for years. Rubber mulch provides a soft cushion, so many injuries at the playground could be prevented. There were big discussions surrounding the initial appeal of rubber mulch. I remember when our town was grappling with the decision of what flooring to place on our newly installed outdoor playground. During play, it’s not uncommon for the pieces of rubber to enter their mouth, eyes and nose.Īn additional problem arises during the hot summer months when the rubber mulch can heat up and releases toxic gases (VOCs). Their immature immune systems make likely exposure to those toxins dangerous. Playgrounds attract younger children who tend come in close contact with the ground. Other chemicals that have been found in a sample of ground-up tires include phthalates, latex, zinc, benzothiazole and more. It is known that the rubber used to make tires and which is now being shred and spread around on our playground floors is filled with toxic chemicals. Some of the compounds used in tires are known or suspected carcinogens including benzene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and carbon black. Those same tires which are being shred into playground flooring throughout the country are also classified as “Hazardous Waste” in many states, and in other locations those tires are deemed “Special Waste”. Generally the tires are shred into small pieces and used as soft flooring in spaces where our children play, and many times spend multiple hours each week. Rubber mulch is typically made from ground-up recycled tires. Rubber mulch at the playground sounds good in theory, but is it really the answer? Now recycled rubber mulch, made from the same recycled tires as those synthetic turf fields could be making its way to a playground near you…or maybe it already has!

Crumb rubber mulch professional#

Synthetic turf fields have grown to the point where more than “ 8,000 multi-use synthetic turf sports fields can be found throughout North American schools, colleges, parks and professional sports stadiums”. Recent concerns have been raised showing that the black recycled tire crumbs which make-up a synthetic turf field may be doing more harm than good. The playground was pristine and appeared to be relatively new, with shiny equipment and immaculate black rubber flooring. There seems to be a growing trend in using black recycled rubber under spaces where young children are playing, including backyard swing sets, preschools and day care centers.įrom soccer fields to playgrounds, recycled rubber surfaces are popping up everywhere.

I recently took my kids and a few of their friends to a playground in a neighboring town. We are a community of over one million parents united against air and climate pollution to protect our children’s health.