| Author | Content |
joegee
Bucyrus, OH
(Zone 6a)
May 24, 2008
03:04 AM Post #4996134
| I have wondered about this product myself. What has kept me from purchasing rubber mulch was the experience of a local scrap yard that underwent a massive tire fire. The byproducts not only leached into the soil, they also contaminated local streams and caused an expensive cleanup that has yet to be finished.
If this mulch burns, my understanding is it will convert into petroleum-like products including asphalt. In quick research I found this article which talks about the flammability of commonly-used mulches http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4107/is_200311/ai_n9... . Rubber mulch was the most flammable mulching material.
"Decorative ground rubber ignited each time it was exposed to the propane torch and produced spreading flames in 60 seconds. Ground rubber always had to be extinguished by the investigators (Table 2). The flames often spread rapidly and were extinguished with difficulty. Decorative ground rubber is sometimes recommended for use in playgrounds to cushion falls, but in our judgment is far too easily ignited for this use. The article "Playground Fires Tied to Cigarettes" reaffirms our concern (Playground Fires 1997)."
I also found this:
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultur...
There's much debate, but thank you for the excellent article!
-Joe G.
This message was edited May 24, 2008 3:11 AM |
gardenpom
Melbourne, FL
(Zone 9b)
May 24, 2008
07:02 AM Post #4996330
| Enjoyed your article...I doubt I would ever buy this stuff myself, but as you say, there are some good uses for it. For my yard I prefer the wood mulches. |
lakesidecallas
Dandridge, TN
(Zone 6a)
May 24, 2008
09:14 AM Post #4996672
| Good article, thanks.
This message was edited May 24, 2008 8:14 AM |
terichris
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
May 24, 2008
09:34 AM Post #4996735
| I used two bags of rubber mulch in the bare grass floor of my children's playhouse. We started with regular mulch & the kids were filthy! This seems to have done the trick. I don't use it in the gardens though. I am not sure what that says about me - its ok for my kids to be playing in it, but I don't want it on my plants. Hmmm, perhaps I should rethink this...Thanks for the article. |
MistyMeadows
Payneville, KY
(Zone 7a)
May 24, 2008
12:04 PM Post #4997246
| Only just heard about this for the first time last week. I do have a concern about what will be leaching out of the tires, not to mention oils that are in the tires. It will be interesting to see what eventually comes from reports of this.
This message was edited May 24, 2008 12:05 PM |
jojoringer
Joey in Conroe, TX
(Zone 8b)
May 24, 2008
01:16 PM Post #4997487
| Great article. I haven't used it but had neighbors that did. In our humid climate, the soil never dried out and almost everything in the garden succumbed to fungus and mold (a constant battle here anyway). When they pulled it up it was downright slimy underneath. That was enough for me LOL.
I had thought of using it for pathways, but hadn't thought about the leaching factor, thanks so much for the heads up! |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
May 24, 2008
02:10 PM Post #4997657
| A timely article as we are trying to decide what to use under the grand children's swing set. |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
May 24, 2008
05:06 PM Post #4998175
| Good to learn about - we are always buying mulch, often the wrong color or kind (whoops) so it's good to be aware there will be more to confuse us! Thank you, Tammy. |
MargaretK
PERTH
Australia
May 26, 2008
06:09 AM Post #5004129
| If the rubber mulch leaches zinc, it would probably benefit our zinc-deficient Australian soils. Even so, I'd be reluctant to use it on the garden. |
DeenDixie
Fayetteville, AR
May 26, 2008
11:17 AM Post #5004929
| An informative article... thank U. I saw this stuff for the first time yesterday when I was at HomeDepot looking for compost...I read the package details and immediately recoiled. Lord knows, we desparately need useful alternatives for old tires, but I would prefer to fall over and die rather than put this stuff on my beloved garden. Kindest regards... |
ccove
West Islip, NY
(Zone 6b)
May 27, 2008
10:27 AM Post #5009693
| I recent article here in NY, was questioning if there was a problem with lead leaching. Not having his mulch I didnot investigate it. You can find it in the archives of Newsday if you are interested. |
DouginMtVernon
Alexandria, VA
May 28, 2008
11:15 AM Post #5015034
| I will drop dead before I ever spread anything like shredded rubber on my garden or ANYWHERE for that matter!
I vehemently disagree--there is NO SUCH THING as a good use for this product!!! This is not natural and not even good for playgrounds---do you want your small children running and rolling around on products whose safety is not known?
No, thanks. All stores that carry this product ought to pull it off the shelves immediately. Disgusting. |
TexasTam
Plano, TX
(Zone 8a)
May 28, 2008
01:46 PM Post #5015780
| Well, I knew this article would cause some controversy...!
DuPont claims its product "meets/exceeds American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for safe playground surface use." Not sure about the others. I know some brands claim to be thoroughly washed and 99.9% wire-free.
In the end, I'd prefer a good and safe use was found for this stuff rather than seeing all those tires ending up in the landfill... |
joegee
Bucyrus, OH
(Zone 6a)
May 28, 2008
02:30 PM Post #5016010
| Rubber mulch from a reliable manufacturer sounds excellent for inside applications where the look of mulch is needed without a material that holds onto mold. I'd wager it rinses off very well, and probably disinfects easily. I remember we had a planter inside my first home that my parents filled with gypsum rock. This mulch would work very well there.
I'd say a lot depends on the manufacturer.
As with any product it pays to be aware of the potential risks involved with it.
Again, thank you!
Joe G. |
DouginMtVernon
Alexandria, VA
June 27, 2008
03:10 PM Post #5168976
| And anyone who takes such claims as "meets/exceeds American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for safe playground surface use" directly from a manufacturer is simply risking their own skins.
Come on, in today's regulatory environment which is DECADES behind detecting and abating the real threats to humans in consumer products, do you REALLY trust the manufacturer's word?
And in this political environment, what cost is their to a company who may not be completely upfront about risks, known or unknown?
Gardening is a natural activity. Shouldn't we as gardeners be keeping it that way? Just my 2 cents. I find products like this morally reprehensible and irresponsible. |
DouginMtVernon
Alexandria, VA
June 27, 2008
03:12 PM Post #5168985
| Oh yeah, and these days, 100% of tires are RECYCLED! That's a far better use than spreading the material in any area designated for natural uses that are exposed to humans, indoors or out. |
