The Benefits and Drawbacks of Rubber Mulch

Author: reikopena | Posted: 12.12.2011

If you are considering using rubber mulch for playground or the gardens but before taking a final call, take a look at some of its benefits as well as drawbacks. Apparently, the environmentalists loves the thought of using artificial turfs for the fields and gardens simply because these come from recycled tires and using them means saving trees which is certainly a big boon for environment prospects. However, they have some negative points too in addition to all benefits it enjoys.

Let us begin with its advantages. The first benefit, as suggested above is the fact that using them saves trees. At the same time, being made from defective tires, this is an effective way to dispose solid wastes, Not only that, rubber has a far better lifetime compared to that of wood and at the same time they require minimum maintenance. On using them in the gardens, its non porous texture allows water to freely circulate to the plants that require it. Apart from this, being soft, non toxic and non abrasive in nature, they are ideally suited to be used in the playgrounds of children.

However, despite so many good points, there are a few disadvantages associated with rubber mulch as well. Here is a couple of its de merits listed below: -

Leaching Zinc- Rubber is water resistant but the tires contain zinc that can turn out to be detrimental for the soil that already has an excess of zinc. Commonly the eastern soils have excess zinc in them and therefore it is advisable not to use them over eastern soils.

Sharp Metal- During processing of tires, most times some parts of metal is not removed totally which raises the chances of injuries on the playgrounds.

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