Is Rubber Mulch Considered Toxic?

Many businesses and homeowners have discovered the benefits of using rubber mulch for a wide range of uses. From landscaping and playgrounds to gyms, hospitals and other commercial uses, rubber mulch solutions provide safe surface alternatives while adding durability and beauty. But does rubber mulch have potential toxicity? The short answer is no.

Quick Review

How Safe is Rubber Mulch?

Made of recycled rubber, some worry about whether this material poses health risks to humans and wildlife. If you feel comfortable driving around on rubber tires, you will appreciate the value, quality, and process used in making rubber mulch. 

Developed by recycling tires, rubber mulch is made without undergoing any chemical change. Fibers and wires are first removed before the rubber is cleaned and ground into tire crumbs, which is called “crumb rubber.” Our nugget mulch, for example, is certified to be 99.9% wire-free. This material is then used to create safer surfaces for use as hospital floors, safe and cost-effective roads, children’s playground surfaces, vegetation protection, and so much more. 

What Science Shows Us

Still wondering about safety issues while using rubber mulch around people or pets? Let’s take a quick look:

Safe for humans

For over 20 years, we have yet to become aware of any PEER-review independent study that concludes the use of recycled rubber was responsible for any adverse health issues, including cancer, due to inhalation. 

Safe around pets

Lab testing has routinely proven that our rubber mulch products pose no danger to pets. But if your dog, for example, is known to be a chewer (grass, wood, dirt, etc.), monitor them if you have concerns about chewing rubber. 

What Else You Should Know 

Prop 65 Warning – California maintains a list of toxic chemicals that if found in a product must be disclosed to consumers through product labeling. The warning can be found on many products including vegetables, fruits, and certain seafood — even teapots. Similarly, recycled rubber products must also carry this label.

Flammability – Is rubber mulch flammable? Rubber nugget mulch passed the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) industry standard test for flammability. 

Heavy Metals - Routinely tested by 3rd party laboratories for heavy metals, our products pass ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) heavy metal standards.

Benefits of Rubber Mulch

Safe Alternative – Many find that using high-quality recycled rubber provides safer surfaces versus cement, gravel, and other materials within the community when used on roads, floors, and other surfaces where we drive, work, and play. Recycled tire rubber is definitely great as a safety surfacing alternative for gyms, sports, and play areas.

Recycling Power – Discarded car and truck tires get a new life with as many as 80 million made into crumb rubber and another 20 million used in civil engineering projects (roads and rails). 

Environmental Protection – Compared with virgin resins, using recycled rubber in molded products reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 25 to 80 percent.

Economic Impact – Recycling rubber and tires is big business and represents 2.47 billion dollars in the U.S. and supports over 12,400 U.S. jobs.

Peace of Mind – Using rubber mulch products in your yard or business provides a “feel good” state of mind with so many benefits and positive advantages for its use in our world.

Sources:

Isri.org Recycled Tires and Rubber

Recycled Rubber Coalition

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