FAQ

Q How is shock-absorption determined?

A The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Testing Company, and the State of Illinois, among numerous state and federal agencies, independent laboratories and licensed testing companies have conducted various tests designed to measure the shock-absorption of various surface materials as they relate to falling objects. Tire rubber chips have been shown to consistently absorb more shock impact than any other standard surface material. This is particularly important because more than 200,000 playground injuries end up in the emergency room every year. That is more than 500 visits per day. The majority of those injuries are attributed to falls. Therefore you can't afford to have anything less than the world's safest playground surface: Playsafer. (Link to: Rubbermulch safety page)

A No. Playsafer 1/2 inch chips are smaller than most others. The smaller the chips, the less likely they are to contain embedded steel wire. To ensure that all wire is removed, Playsafer chips pass through 4 unique, state of the art magnets during the manufacturing process. This extra attention literally ensures no steel content. In fact, Playsafer is guaranteed to be 99.9% steel-free.

A No. In addition to promoting almost instantaneous drainage, Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch retains small amounts of moisture, which is just enough to prevent the accumulation of dust and slipperiness.

A No. Unlike wood mulch or chips which can bleed when wet, Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch does not stain.

A Tire rubber chips have been shown to consistently absorb more shock impact than any other standard surface material. This is particularly important because more than 200,000 playground injuries end up in the emergency room every year. That is more than 500 visits per day. The majority of those injuries are attributed to falls. Therefore you can't afford to have anything less than the world's safest playground surface: Playsafer.

A No. Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch chips are made from 100% tire rubber. All tires are made of vulcanized rubber. the vulcanizing process makes the rubber literally indestructible.

A To determine the amount needed, please use our calculator HERE or if you need, we're here 9 - 5 EST at 888.492.PLAY(7529).

A Landscaping 2” / residential playground 3” / commercial playground 6”

A No. The bugs are attracted to the organic wood fibers which are not present in rubber mulch.

A Yes. For stables and horse parks that want to make a big visual impact, we offer custom-colored Surefoot to match stable or corporate colors at a reasonable price.

A Unpainted Black, Dyed Black, Royal Blue, Forest Green, Cocoa Brown, Terra Cotta Red

A 12 yr. color guarantee

A Yes. For those who want to make a big visual impact, we offer custom-colored Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch to match play equipment or corporate colors at a reasonable price.

A The chips are no less durable than black Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch. As leaders in the recycled rubber industry, we have developed a non-toxic, highly durable paint for the rubber. The end result is that the colored Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch should not fade any faster than that of good quality house paint, and may very well last much longer.

A Overtime it may fade slightly, but will maintain actual color for full 12 yrs.

A No - the best part of rubber mulch is that you do not need to keep remulching every year. We know that rubber mulch is more expensive than other mulch options, but since the color stays for at least 12 years, you will start saving after the 3rd or 4th year.

A Actually, rubber mulch protects your soil, serving as an insulator both summer and winter. Unlike conventional wood mulch, rubber mulch will not steal your soil's water and nutrients.

A Rubber Mulch will actually reduce your weed growth! Many weeds germinate in wood mulch, but weeds definitely can not grow in rubber.

A No. Rubber Mulch chips are made from 100% tire rubber. All tires are made of vulcanized rubber. The vulcanizing process makes the rubber literally indestructible.

A Not really. Yes, it is 3-4 times more expensive than wood mulch, but unlike wood, you don't need to re-mulch every year.

A No! Maintenance is easy. Aside from fewer weeds, sticks and foreign objects can be removed with a leaf blower or by light raking.

A New Rubber Mulch has a slight odor, much like a new shower curtain. The odor soon disappears.

A No. The bugs are attracted to the organic wood fibers which are not present in rubber mulch.

A Rubber Mulch is completely non-toxic. Even colored rubber mulch is colored with non-toxic paints. If accidentally swallowed, it simply passes through the digestive tract of humans and animals.

A To determine the amount needed, please use our calculator HERE or if you need, we're here 9 - 5 EST at 888.492.PLAY(7529).

A Landscaping 2” / residential playground 3” / commercial playground 6”

A We recommend the area be prepared ahead of time by clearing the ground of rocks, stumps and other debris, then calculate an area that surrounds the play equipment of 3-6 feet (commonly referred to as the "use" or "fall zone"). We also recommend the use of 4" rubber borders around the entire play area, which will contain the Playsafer, and a filter fabric beneath the rubber to prevent weed growth into the play area. Where Playsafer is replacing some other surface material, it is best to remove the old surfacing material completely. Sand or pebbles, for example, will only work their way to the surface and minimize Playsafer shock-absorption values, and reintroduce abrasiveness to the play area. Wood mulch or chips will continue to attract insects, etc. under the surface and will eventually decompose there as well.

A Our rubber mulch is delivered in 25 bags of 40 pounds each which ships as a ½ pallet (1,000 pounds) or 50 bags of 40 pounds, totaling 2,000 pounds.

A Landscaping 2” / residential playground 3” / commercial playground 6”

A No. Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch is non-toxic (and in the case of colored surfacing chips, only non-toxic paints are used). The chips has no taste appeal, but if they should be accidentally swallowed, test reports show that the chips will simply pass through the digestive tracts of both humans and animals.(Maryland Environmental Services, 1994)

A Not at all.

A No. Some odor may be present at the time of installation, but, similar to installing a new shower curtain, any odor will soon disappear.

A Those that are not removed by lightly raking the surface will simply drain through the chips and decompose over time.

A No. Tire rubber melts at approximately 500 degrees F. Clothes dryers operate at less than 100 degrees F.

A No, our Rubber Mulch is heavier than wood chips/mulch and has proven not to wash away even in intense flooding and high winds.

A Occasional raking.

A Shipping is free on full pallet (2000 lbs.) orders to most states* (see our shipping page for exclusions), for ½ pallet (1000 lbs.) orders there may be is a $25-$50 shipping charge depending on location.

A We ship to the continental US.

A Yes. We sell ½ pallets (1000 lbs.) and 40 lb bags. 

A Yes

A Yes, we offer samples. You can order it here: https://rubbermulch.com/collections/playground-sample

A We use the highest quality paint for the longest lasting and most bold and vibrant color. We have the best process for cleaning the rubber end ensuring a metal/wire free product.

A Shredded sneakers contain pieces of leather, which become slippery when wet, and eventually rot and break down.

A We know that rubber mulch is more expensive than other mulch options, but since the color stays for at least 12 years, you don't need to re-mulch every year.  After the 3rd or 4th year you will can't start banking the savings from not having to buy more mulch.