Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch FAQs

How is shock-absorption determined?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Testing Company, and the State of Illinois, among numerous state and federal agencies, independent laboratories and licensed testing companies have conducted various tests designed to measure the shock-absorption of various surface materials as they relate to falling objects. Tire rubber chips have been shown to consistently absorb more shock impact than any other standard surface material. This is particularly important because more than 200,000 playground injuries end up in the emergency room every year. That is more than 500 visits per day. The majority of those injuries are attributed to falls. Therefore you can't afford to have anything less than the world's safest playground surface: Playsafer.

Is there any steel content in Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch?

No. Playsafer 1/2 inch chips are smaller than most others. The smaller the chips, the less likely they are to contain embedded steel wire. To ensure that all wire is removed, Playsafer chips pass through 4 unique, state of the art magnets during the manufacturing process. This extra attention literally ensures no steel content. In fact, Playsafer is guaranteed to be 99.9% steel-free.

Will Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch crumble, disintegrate, or decompose?

No. Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch chips are made from 100% tire rubber. All tires are made of vulcanized rubber. the vulcanizing process makes the rubber literally indestructible.

Is Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch ever dusty or slippery?

No. In addition to promoting almost instantaneous drainage, Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch retains small amounts of moisture, which is just enough to prevent the accumulation of dust and slipperiness.

How does Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch compare with shredded sneakers?

Shredded sneakers contain pieces of leather, which become slippery when wet, and eventually rot and break down.

Does Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch blow or wash away?

No. Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch chips are too heavy to be significantly affected by normal high winds or heavy rains.

Does Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch come in any color besides black?

Yes. For those who want to make a big visual impact, we offer custom-colored Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch to match play equipment or corporate colors at a reasonable price.

How durable is colored Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch?

The chips are no less durable than black Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch. As leaders in the recycled rubber industry, we have developed a non-toxic, highly durable paint for the rubber. The end result is that the colored Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch should not fade any faster than that of good quality house paint, and may very well last much longer.

How should the play area be prepared?

We recommend the area be prepared ahead of time by clearing the ground of rocks, stumps and other debris, then calculate an area that surrounds the play equipment of 6-8 feet (commonly referred to as the "use" or "fall zone"). We also recommend the use of 6" railroad ties around the entire play area, which will contain the Playsafer, and a filter fabric beneath the rubber to prevent weed growth into the play area. Where Playsafer is replacing some other surface material, it is best to remove the old surfacing material completely. Sand or pebbles, for example, will only work their way to the surface and minimize Playsafer shock-absorption values, and reintroduce abrasiveness to the play area. Wood mulch or chips will continue to attract insects, etc. under the surface and will eventually decompose there as well.

How is Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch delivered?

Playsafer is delivered in bulk form which makes the installation process easier.

What type of maintenance is required?

Occasional raking.

Is Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch toxic?

No. Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch is non-toxic (and in the case of colored surfacing chips, only non-toxic paints are used). The chips has no taste appeal, but if they should be accidentally swallowed, test reports show that the chips will simply pass through the digestive tracts of both humans and animals.(Maryland Environmental Services, 1994)

Will Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch stain clothing or the area where it is installed?

No. Unlike wood mulch or chips which can bleed when wet, Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch does not stain.

Do Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch chips smell?

No. Some odor may be present at the time of installation, but, similar to installing a new shower curtain, any odor will soon disappear.

Will the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) bother property owners where Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch is installed?

No. The DEP "strongly promotes the use of recycled products since it is essential to the long-term success of local and national recycling programs." In fact, the DEP visited the Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch manufacturing plant in Lakewood, NJ, and has expressed enthusiasm for the company's efforts to rid the environment of hazardous tire disposal sites by creating a positive environmental use. Playsafer recycled tire chips are not subject to DEP regulation and there are no special removal requirements associated with the closing of a play area that has used them.

Will chips that find their way into clothing end up melting in a clothes dryer?

No. Tire rubber melts at approximately 500 degrees F. Clothes dryers operate at less than 100 degrees F.

What happens to leaves or branches that fall or blow onto Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch surfaces?

Those that are not removed by lightly raking the surface will simply drain through the chips and decompose over time.

How does the cost of Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch compare to other products?

Initially, Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch may cost a little more than some other surfaces, however, Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch only needs to be installed once. No annual upgrading or replacement is required. Furthermore, in comparison to wood mulch, Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch requires a maximum of six inches in depth, versus 12 inches for wood mulch.