Does RMD Rubber Mulch freeze?
No. RMD Rubber Mulch is hydrophobic - it does not absorb water – so it will not freeze.

What kind of insulation does it provide?
RMD Rubber Mulch keeps soil 10° cooler in summer and 10° warmer in the winter.

Is RMD Rubber Mulch dirty?
No. RMD landscape and playground mulches are colored using a licensed process, which seals the rubber after the desired color is applied. You can even play in RMD rubber mulch in the rain.

Will RMD Rubber Mulch stain clothes?
No. Unlike organic materials, RMD Rubber Mulch will not stain clothes or cement.

Can you give me some ideas about natural landscaping?
Working with nature is a big trend that we applaud. Landscape Design/Build recently did an excellent survey article on natural landscaping that mentions many excellent resources.

What are some things I can do to make my playground safe?
This Today show segment with Consumer Reports has some excellent tips.

How does rubber mulch compare to other materials for shock absorption?
Very favorably, as test results from independent laboratories show. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC (see page 8)) and numerous state and private agencies have found that rubber tire mulch consistently outperforms all other loose surface materials.

Is RMD Rubber Mulch flammable?
RMD Rubber Mulch is not flammable.
Tire chips were tested in 1995 in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substance Act (16 CFR 1500.44) to determine whether this material would be considered "flammable" (a material is considered flammable if it ignites and burns with a self-sustained flame at a rate greater than 0.1 inches per second along its major axis).  Per these test results scrap tire material is considered non-flammable.

What if a Child Swallows a Rubber Chip?
In 1994 the Maryland Environmental Services (MES) put this question to a series of tests. At the MES request, a testing laboratory subjected 3/4 inch pieces of tire chips to hydrochloric acid (stomach acid). "Visual examination of insoluble residue appeared to indicate only fibrous reinforcing strands were dissolved by the hydrochloric acid. The tire rubber did not appear to be affected in any way; i.e., chalking, cracking, fracturing, etc." (PSI report No. 486-40013-001).

What does this mean? If a piece of rubber is swallowed, it should not cause any acute or chronic problems. Short-term issues, such as an upset stomach will be a function of the amount of rubber swallowed. As to the fate of the rubber chips swallowed, they are eventually evacuated from the body, just like any other non-digestible material.

Has RMD mulch been certified by any outside agencies?
RMD Playground Mulch meets all of the criteria established by the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and complies with ASTM F1292-04, Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation Under and Around Playground Equipment, and ASTM F1951, Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment. RMD Premium Playground Mulch is also ADA compliant.

In the interest of playground safety, IPEMA provides a Third Party Certification Service whereby a designated independent laboratory, Detroit Testing Laboratory, Inc., validates a surfacing manufacturer’s certification of conformance to ASTM F1292, Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation Under and Around Playground Equipment. Regardless of whether you settle on our product or not, you should not accept any product that does not bear their certification. Check the IPEMA website to confirm product validation, and tested critical height.

The use of the IPEMA Certification Seal signifies that RMD AMERICAS USA, LLC has received written validation from the independent laboratory that the product associated with the use of the seal conforms to the requirements of ASTM F1292-04.

RMD Athletic rubber mulch is manufactured in compliance with UNE EN ISO 11348/ 2, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard CRF 1910.1200, and US Department of Labor OMB 1218-0072.

Have there been any studies about the toxicity of rubber mulch?
We are aware of five studies:

1. A study by the University of Maine's Department of Civil Engineering on water quality of tire leachate below the ground water table showed that if the groundwater is near neutral (not too acidic or alkaline), tire shreds have only a small impact on groundwater quality.
2. Five-Year Study Of The Water Quality Effects Of Tire Shreds
   Placed Above The Water Table
3. Comparative Study of the Toxicity of Chipped Tires and Wood Chips Leachate
4. The Chelsea Center's Technical Report on Environmental Impacts of Rubber In Light Fill Applications. This study concludes that recycled rubber derived from scrap tires is a safe, recyclable material.
5. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT), Using Shredded Tires as Lightweight Fill Material for Road Subgrades

What does the EPA have to say about rubber mulch?

1. Ground rubber applications
2. Recycled rubber products in landscaping applications
3. “Greenscaping” your lawn and garden
4. On golf courses
5. Frequently Asked Questions

Does the use of rubber mulch reduce the need for herbicides?
We were happy to learn that it does in this article from LandscapeOnline.

Is play important?
IPEMA recently began an initiative to promote the benefits of children’s play and playgrounds and to provide information and resources to help us all improve the quality and quantity of children’s play and playgrounds. A Web site, www.voiceofplay.com, is sponsored by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers (IPEMA), and is for parents, kids, community groups, school principals, boards, teachers and administrators; parks and recreation professionals; playground designers and equipment manufacturers – along with everyone who cares about kids and play! Some highlights of this site include information about physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits of play; playground certification and standards; a resource kit for parents; and an area to ask questions to our play experts.

What are some states doing with rubber mulch?
Marylandis conducting studies using rubberized asphalt, rubberized natural grass athletic fields, as mulch and as a green roof.
Kentucky is providing matching grant funds for projects that promote the use of recycled waste tires for athletic fields, playgrounds and other applications.
Ohiohas a tire recycling grant program to help utilities and industries fund the research and equipment purchases necessary to use Tire Derived Fuel (TDF). The program gives out approximately $1 million in grants each year.
Colorado provides incentives for products and projects that use tire-derived materials. So far funds have been used for athletic fields and equine facilities.

Has any research been done using rubber mulch on athletic fields?
Yes, at Michigan State.

Has any research been done using rubber mulch on golf courses?
Yes, these are the results of a Canadian study and research at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
The University of Florida has also started doing research on using rubber mulch on athletic fields and golf courses.
This article on Recycled rubber as a drainage layer medium under greens may also be of interest.

Environmentally, what is the best management strategy for scrap rubber tires?
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has looked at this question carefully.

What should I consider before using Tire Derived Fuel (TDF) at our plant?
This is a good article on Building A Successful Tire-Derived Fuel Program from Cement Americas.