No one needs mulch

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering it. Does anyone have it?

It's not toxic. It does not leach into the soil. Do your research. That being said, there are lots of articles supporting both sides. Look for an actual science article.

Rubber mulch is definitely toxic and absolutely does leach into the soil:

http://gardenprofessors.com/rubber-mulch-rubs-me-the-wrong-way/

"It breaks down: Although sales literature would have you believe otherwise, rubber is broken down by microbes like any other organic product. Specialized bacterial and fungal species can use rubber as their sole food source. In the degradation process, chemicals in the tires can leach into the surrounding soil or water.

It’s toxic: Research has shown that rubber leachate from car tires can kill entire aquatic communities of algae, zooplankton, snails, and fish. While part of this toxicity may be from the heavy metals (like chromium and zinc) found in tires, it’s also from the chemicals used in making tires. These include 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, both known to be hazardous to human and environmental health.

It’s not fun to be around: When rubber mulch gets hot, it stinks. And it can burn your feet. Yuck."

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering it. Does anyone have it?

I got it for one flower bed to try it out, much the same as other as still blows away but less messy, so that is good and I like the color?

I’m LMAO at the people here prattling about how “flammable” rubber mulch is! As opposed to regular wood mulch?!?! Hahahahaha!!!!!

Let’s try a little experiment:

Get a propane torch, light it, and hold it in contact with a bunch of dry rubber mulch, and bunch of dry wood mulch, for 10 seconds.


Then tell me again which is more flammable, lolz!!!!!!

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/rubber-mulch.pdf

"It is abundantly clear from the scientific literature that rubber should not be used as a landscape
amendment or mulch. There is no question that toxic substances leach from rubber as it degrades,
contaminating the soil, landscape plants, and associated aquatic systems. While recycling waste tires is
an important issue to address, it is not a solution to simply move the problem to our landscapes and
surface waters.

The Bottom Line
• Rubber mulch is not as effective as other organic mulch choices in controlling weeds
• Rubber mulch is highly flammable and difficult to extinguish once it is burning
• Rubber mulch is not permanent; like other organic substances, it decomposes
• Rubber mulch is not non-toxic; it contains a number of metal and organic contaminants with
known environmental and/or human health effects"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't buy a house that had a garden I couldn't use because it was filled with fake mulch.

Okay.....

I would buy the house but not look forward to the PITA of removing the fake mulch.

Believe me, you'll never be able to get rid of all of it. You will be forever finding it in the soil.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't buy a house that had a garden I couldn't use because it was filled with fake mulch.

Okay.....

I would buy the house but not look forward to the PITA of removing the fake mulch.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't buy a house that had a garden I couldn't use because it was filled with fake mulch.

Okay.....

I wouldn't buy a house that had a garden I couldn't use because it was filled with fake mulch.

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering it. Does anyone have it?

It's not toxic. It does not leach into the soil. Do your research. That being said, there are lots of articles supporting both sides. Look for an actual science article.

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering it. Does anyone have it?

I have it. I love it. It never smells at all. It's in direct sun. It looks nice even after a couple years.

I really don't understand why anyone would choose to add toxic, permanent waste to their garden/yard. You might think you can contain it in a small area but it will work its way into the soil and spread to surrounding areas. You'll never be able to completely get rid of it or ever use that area for planting food, letting kids play etc.

Love the look of ours but our edging is just a bit higher than the mulch area and it washes into the grass when we get a heavy rain. i make the kids pick it all back up and throw back in the flower bed area. Other than that it is great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about for underneath a play structure?

How permanent is the play structure?

I'm not the OP but in our case, we expect to have it for 8-10 years, so pretty permanent.

Don’t do the rubber mulch pieces under a play structure—they’ve had toxicity issues. A rubberized surface is fine.

We've had it under a play structure for almost 10 years. Much softer surface for falling onto and fewer bugs underfoot. Don't have to add new mulch as frequently- maybe every 3 to 4 years to 'top up'. We have in a shady yard, so no direct sunlight most of the time. Never noticed any smell associated with the mulch. Made from recycled tires.