Safety is a top priority when creating or updating a playground, and surfacing material is an essential part of this consideration.
From city parks to playgrounds, recycled rubber tires have been an attractive alternative to wood mulch for decades. It helps keep kids safe and protects against falls. However, several people have concerns about whether there are health risks from exposure to rubber mulch made from recycled tires. This concern is understandable! After all, we want the best for our children, and we expect the products that are supposed to help keep them safe to be non-toxic and clean.
If you’re curious about the safety of rubber mulch and other surfacing alternatives, we’re here to help. This article examines the safety aspects of rubber mulch vs. wood mulch options to help you make an informed decision for your playground.
Rubber mulch, particularly mulch made from recycled rubber, offers superior impact absorption properties. Its ability to cushion falls reduces the risk of serious injuries. The critical fall height ratings for rubber mulch typically exceed those of wood mulch, providing better protection from heights. This superior shock absorption is due to the rubber’s elasticity and ability to compress under impact, dispersing force more effectively than wood mulch.
While wood mulch or wood chips can help protect against falls, there are some downsides. Splinters, mold and susceptibility to freezing are all factors that can hinder the performance of wood mulch. These issues can compromise the safety of the play area and potentially lead to injuries. The performance of wood mulch can also vary significantly based on environmental conditions, such as moisture content and temperature fluctuations.
In comparison, rubber mulch maintains its protective properties more consistently across various weather conditions and over extended periods. This consistency contributes to year-round playground safety, especially in regions with diverse climates.
Is rubber mulch safe? Several studies have addressed concerns about chemicals and toxins in rubber mulch. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have conducted research into the safety of recycled tire crumb rubber on playing fields and playgrounds. This report concluded that no significant health risks are associated with rubber mulch.
Some wood mulch has been treated with chemicals like toxic chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to make it more resistant to pests and decay. These treatments can potentially leach harmful substances into the playground environment. While free from added chemicals, untreated wood mulch can harbor natural molds and fungi, particularly in damp conditions. These organisms can cause respiratory issues in sensitive individuals. Wood mulch can also attract pests like termites and carpenter ants, which may be problematic in playgrounds.
Rubber mulch can last up to 10 years or more with proper installation, maintaining its safety properties. This extended durability reduces replacement costs and disruptions to playground usage due to maintenance. For example, No Fault Rubber Mulch does not decay, create dust, absorb water or attract insects, requiring little maintenance.
Playground surfacing must comply with playground safety standards set by organizations like ASTM International. These standards cover various requirements, including impact attenuation, accessibility and material composition. For example, ASTM F1292-22 provides guidelines for the impact attenuation of playground surfacing materials.
Rubber mulch consistently meets or exceeds these standards, offering a reliable safety solution for various playground designs and equipment heights. Wood mulch, particularly engineered wood fiber, can also meet safety standards when properly installed and maintained. However, its compliance may require more frequent inspections and adjustments. The natural decomposition of wood mulch can affect its performance over time, necessitating regular testing and potential supplementation to maintain required safety levels.
While rubber mulch isn’t biodegradable, it can be made from recycled rubber materials, diverting them from landfills. For example, scrap rubber manufacturers recycle around 110 million tires every year. Some of it gets a new life when used to make playground safety surfacing and crumb rubber mulch. This recycling process aligns with broader sustainability goals, contributing to waste reduction and resource conservation.
For instance, No Fault Bonded Rubber Mulch comprises 100% recycled shredded rubber mulch blended with a single-component polyurethane binder, making it a sustainable option for safe rubber mulch playground surfaces.
Wood mulch, while biodegradable, often requires frequent replacement, leading to ongoing resource consumption. If it isn’t managed sustainably, sourcing wood mulch may also contribute to deforestation.
When comparing rubber mulch vs. wood mulch, consider long-term safety, maintenance requirements and environmental impact. While wood mulch continues to be a popular option for playground safety, rubber mulch made from recycled rubber is a non-toxic alternative that may provide better fall protection and long-term value.
At No Fault Surfaces, we take great pride in providing rubber products that enhance playground and park safety — products made from the cleanest, highest-quality, non-toxic materials. For 50 years, we’ve offered some of the most popular recreational surfacing products on the market. We offer products in various colors and depths to accommodate different design preferences and safety requirements. We also offer other safety surfacing options to help keep playgrounds safe and fun for years to come.
Let us help you create a durable play space with safer surfacing materials. Request a free surfacing quote today, or contact us for a personalized consultation.
