Playground Mulch

Playgrounds can benefit from the use of rubber mulch in order to create an overall safer play environment for children. Rubber mulch is the creative recycling of rubber products into a finely ground and compacted mixture that is mainly used as flooring of many places and venues. Playgrounds in particular benefit from the use of rubber mulch flooring because it is both recycled and safe for use by children during their most intense playtimes.

Playground mulch has also been specially treated in order to avoid injuries and health risks. In addition to being shock-reducing flooring material, many reputable rubber mulch manufacturers also ensure that their flooring products are as latex-free as possible. Some children are born with latex allergies, so looking for good playground mulch that is latex-free and soft to the touch can help you create a safer play area for the young ones.

Play ground Mulch and the Environment

Parents who are environment advocates will be glad to know that most playground mulch products are created from recycled rubber materials. Nowadays, old tires with their steel bands removed are used almost exclusively to create rubber mulch, while other companies may use a combination of other recycled rubber products in their mulch.

Playgrounds near large gardens or concentrations of plants are also safe areas to apply rubber mulch flooring. Gardens have also been a popular place to put rubber mulch as of late, because of rubber's natural insulating features. While not as biodegradable as wood mulch, it still maintains relative popularity with gardeners and landscapers today.

Some rubber mulch products are not safe to use with plants, however. If the playground you intend to floor with rubber mulch has a large concentration of plants around, then you may need to search for rubber mulch products specifically made for garden use. Some brands of recycled rubber mulch may contain chemicals accrued during the tire manufacturing process, or substances accumulated during a tire's service life.

The use of rubber mulch floors for playgrounds has been approved by the EPA. This is for the reason that playground mulch provides adequate cushioning from falls and injuries. Rubber mulch is also made of recycled materials that have been specially treated and cared for in order to make sure it is much safer to use than other kinds of mulch available.

If your kids are prone to playing with fire, however, then using rubber mulch products can be a problem. Rubber has always been a relatively hard material to extinguish when ignited. This may pose a risk when the playground is located in an area where fires are situated close by. If the mulch has not been properly treated, the toxins will make the fire even more lethal.

However, the risks mentioned are very unlikely to happen in a normal playground setting. The environmental impact of playground mulch is so negligible that many playgrounds across the United States use rubber mulch.

Using Rubber Mulch For Playgrounds vs. Traditional Mulch.

People who decide to fill an area with playground mulch will also be glad to know that it is relatively easy to install with the help of a professional. It is also much easier to maintain than other types of mulch, making it easier for parents to keep an eye out for.

   Here are a few advantages of using playground mulch:

• It is not porous, and will not absorb water in the playground or in a garden setting.
• It is not made of organic materials that parasites, bacteria, and insects commonly feed and breed in.
• Playground mulch is also naturally elastic, making it a soft surface for children who accidentally or purposely fall off playground equipment.
• Rubber mulch is also popular as an insulator for many kinds of plants and shrubbery around the garden.
• Playground mulch is also extremely durable, as you will rarely, if at all, have to service it, let alone replace it. Many kinds of rubber playground mulch use vulcanized rubber, making the chips inside nearly indestructible.
• Many playground mulch manufacturers also offer their products in different colors, so that you are not just stuck with the plain black rubber that tires are made of. Manufacturers may also use latex-free paint to minimize the risk of allergic reaction even further.

Playground mulch may be your ticket to a safer, happier playground. Made of recycled materials to be a safe playground surfacing, rubber mulch can actually make your playground a much more fun place to play for your kids.

Just keep an eye out for a few things before choosing to go with a particular playground mulch supplier.

• Search for suppliers of 99.9% metal-free playground mulch. The steel linings of tires need to be removed properly before they are turned into mulch. If a supplier does not offer 99.9% metal-free playground mulch, it is better to look elsewhere.
• Manufacturers should also use latex-free materials and paints for their playground mulch. Some may paint their mulch into more festive and fun colors, so always search for manufacturers that use latex-free paint.
• Recycled materials also need to be properly sanitized before being turned into mulch. Since playground mulch is made almost exclusively with used tires, cleaning can be made essential. There is no telling what those tires have accumulated when they were still being used on their respective vehicles.

Hopefully your knowledge about playground mulch, after reading this article, will help you come to a more informed decision about ensuring safety in your play areas and gardens.