5 Best Non Toxic Rubber Mulch For Children To Play Safely
In need of new mulch that can have maximum fall protection that won’t attract pests like carpenter ants? Rubber mulch is a good choice because it’s made with from scrap tires to create a play surface that’s safe for kids. I’ve gathered a list of the best non toxic rubber mulch to help you decide which is the right one for you.
Some links may be affiliate links.
What Is Rubber Mulch?
Rubber mulch is derived from recycled tires and is a popular landscaping material commonly used to ensure playground safety and reduce playground-related injuries for young children.
It’s a type of mulch made by shredding or grinding rubber into small pieces and dyeing them to mimic traditional wood mulch. Its primary objective is to create a gentle and protective soft surface in order to reduce the likelihood of injuries resulting from falls. Additionally, it effectively curbs weed growth and preserves soil moisture.
Benefits of Rubber Mulch
There are a few benefits to using rubber mulch in landscaping and playgrounds:
- Safety: A key advantage of rubber mulch is its incredible ability to absorb impact, which significantly lowers the risk of injuries from falls. This soft landing surface acts as a protective cushion.
- Durability: Rubber mulch material is very durable and it outlasts organic material alternatives because it decomposes at a much slower rate. It’s also a relatively low-maintenance option, so it requires less frequent replacement.
- Weed Control: High-quality rubber mulch acts as an effective weed barrier. So it prevents weed growth and minimizes the need for herbicides. This benefit not only saves time and effort in landscape maintenance but also contributes to a cleaner and more organized appearance.
- Soil Moisture: Rubber mulch plays a vital role in retaining moisture within the soil and it lessens the need for frequent watering. This quality is especially crucial in areas that have water usage restrictions.
- Eco-Friendly: Many rubber mulch options are made from old tires so using tire rubber mulch can contribute to reducing waste.
Tips For Picking & Using Rubber Mulch
- Wash your hands after playing in rubber mulch to make sure your hands are completely clean.
- If you’re using mulch for gardening or landscaping, use other alternatives that will feed good nutrients for your plants and garden. Some other alternatives include natural mulch, pebbles, and organic mulch.
- Choose non-toxic mulch options that are free from chemicals.
Best Non Toxic Rubber Mulch
1. PlaySafer Non Toxic Rubber Mulch Nuggets (Black)
PlaySafer’s rubber mulch is a nontoxic rubber mulch made from 100% recycled tires. The manufacturing process makes it 99.9% steel free.
It’s also IPEMA certified and exceeds Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines so you can have peace of mind that it matches the highest quality standards.
PlaySafer also offers a 12-year color warranty on their premium rubber mulch and is made in the USA.
2. PlaySafer Rubber Mulch Nuggets (Green)
If you prefer a colored rubber mulch, PlaySafer also has a variety of colors to choose from which makes PlaySafer a popular option. The best thing is the color won’t bleed onto your clothing.
The recycled rubber mulch has impressive shock absorbency and up to 12ft height protection.
Each rubber nuggets package comes in a 40-pound bag. It’s also sold in bulk bags up to 2,000 lb pags.
3. NuPlay Non Toxic Rubber Mulch
NuPlay is a 100% recycled rubber nontoxic rubber mulch that is IPEMA certified for playground surfaces. It also has 2x the fall height rating of wood mulches and is very long lasting.
The color will last for 12 years so you buy it once and don’t need to replace it for a very long time. It’s also 99.9% wire free.
The material does not attract animals and pests. It acts as a weed barrier.
4. Jelly Bean Non Toxic Rubber Mulch
Jelly Bean Rubber mulch is 100% virgin rubber made free of phthalates and other toxic substances.
It has an ASTM fall safety rating which means it’ll protect your kids from stumbling. The material is also built to last for decades.
Jelly Bean Rubber playground Mulch offers a 20 year warranty, the longest warranty we’ve seen for mulch.
If you’re looking for a tire free mulch, this Jelly Bean Playground Rubber Mulch is the best choice.
5. Best Rubber Mulch
Best Rubber Mulch is good for schools, a landscaping project, public playgrounds, commercial playgrounds, play areas, equestrian arenas, and more. It’s made from recycled tires and is 99.9% wire free.
The non toxic rubber mulch also has really high standards when it comes to fall protection. It meets ASTM, ADA, and CPSC standards. There’s fall protection up to 12ft.
What is the best alternative to rubber mulch?
If the use of tire mulch isn’t ideal, some other types of landscaping mulch to consider are organic mulch, pine straw, cocoa bean bulls, gravel, hemp mulch, pea gravel, geotextile landscape fabric, wood mulch products, and sand.
- Organic Mulch: Organic mulch includes wood chips, bark, straw, leaves, and compost. They are natural and biodegradable and they add nutrients to the soil as they break down. Organic mulches also help improve soil structure and retain moisture.
- Pine Straw: Pine straw is made from pine needles and is a popular mulch choice in certain regions. It’s lightweight, easy to spread, and helps with weed suppression while allowing water to penetrate the soil.
- Cocoa Bean Hulls: Cocoa bean hulls are a byproduct of chocolate production and make a fragrant and visually appealing mulch option. They provide good weed control and help retain moisture in the soil.
- Gravel or Stone Mulch: This is suitable for xeriscapes and regions with inadequate drainage. It has long-lasting benefits and also reduces weed growth.
- Hemp Mulch: Made from the hemp plant, it’s an eco-friendly material that decomposes slowly and feeds the soil with nutrients as it’s breaking down.
Is rubber mulch safe for garden?
Cons of rubber mulch is it’s not the best choice for gardens because it may contaminate the soil. Since it contains trace amounts of zinc, aluminum, cadmium, and others, it can potentially harm plants.
Rubber mulch is best to use for playground structures.
Is rubber mulch non toxic?
Many potentially toxic chemicals found in older generations of rubber mulch are no longer actively sold on the market. So the rubber used in modern rubber mulch goes through rigorous processing to remove as many contaminants as possible.
However, note that certain trace amounts of chemicals, such as heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can still be found in rubber mulch. These chemicals are typically present in very low quantities and are unlikely to pose a significant threat to human health.
The problem isn’t about the trace amounts, it’s about the overexposure of the chemicals.
It is always best to use rubber mulch that complies with industry safety standards and regulations. These safety standards ensure that the rubber mulch has undergone proper testing and meets the necessary criteria for low toxicity and environmental impact.
The most important thing to remember is rubber mulch should be used as intended rather than ingested or used in high-contact areas.
Studies on the Toxicity of Rubber Mulch
There have been several scientific studies conducted to determine the toxicity of rubber mulch. Here are some key findings and results from these studies:
- According to a study released in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, the health risks related to rubber mulch were found to be negligible. The researchers’ findings indicated that the levels of hazardous chemicals present in rubber mulch remained below the recommended limits for safe exposure.
- Another study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health analyzed the release of chemicals from rubber mulch under different conditions. The results showed that the leaching of harmful chemicals from rubber mulch was negligible, which indicates a low risk to human health.
Environmental Impact
- Soil Condition: Rubber mulch does not break down or decompose like organic mulch, which can affect soil quality and nutrient levels over time.
- Water Runoff: Rubber mulch can prevent water from reaching the soil, potentially leading to drainage issues and runoff during heavy rain.
- Plant Growth: Rubber mulch may inhibit plant growth due to its non-porous nature and potential release of chemicals.
That’s why rubber mulch isn’t recommend to use for gardening purposes but rather as a material to protect children from falls.
Overall, non-toxic rubber mulch made without carcinogenic chemicals is a great choice to create a soft landing surface to prevent serious injuries. It’s also better for the long run because it can last for decades. We hope this guide helped you choose the best rubber mulch for your needs!
RELATED POSTS:
