Rubber mulch is a type of mulch used in sustainable gardens and landscaping made from recycled rubber.
Video Rubber mulch
Composition
Rubber mulch generally consists of waste of scrap tires or synthetic rubber nuggets from tires that are milled intact, once their steel tape is removed. Almost all tires can be used to make rubber mulch, including passenger vehicle tires and truck tires and large trailers. Buffings are produced from recycled tire treads when the remaining treads are removed from the tire before they are vulcanized. Buffings are usually thin slices of rubber. Nuggets have sizes ranging from 10mm to 32mm, or 3/8 inches to 1 1 / 4 inches.
Maps Rubber mulch
Benefits
Rubber mulch provides several advantages over mulch-based planting materials. For landscaping and gardening purposes, both nuggets and insulators protect the soil from heat, allowing a soil temperature difference of 2 or 3 degrees F higher than wood mulch. Rubber mulch is useful for soil moisture, because the rubber is not porous and does not absorb water on the way to the ground. It also reduces the growth of fungi and plant growth, and becomes a weed barrier, since weed seeds are dehydrated in mulch before reaching the ground. Neither nuggets nor buffers provide humus for compacted soil types.
Another advantage of material-mulch mulch is its elasticity, which provides a chewy quality when used in a fairly thick layer. This makes it a natural choice for a playground, where extra extras provide extra security for children when they fall from playground equipment. Test has shown that rubber mulch is superior in breaking the fall to traditional skin mulch. The Association of International Play Equipment Manufacturers has certified several rubber mulch for ASTM F1292-09.
Rubber mulch is an alternative to wood mulch, reducing regional and global carbon footprint by reusing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Its durability can be up to twelve times larger than wood mulch, with wooden mulch that lasts an average of four seasons.
Disadvantages
- Unlike organic mulch, rubber mulch does not enrich the soil or increase soil biodiversity through decomposition, at worst, this leads to soil contamination (see Environmental Impact and Safety Test)
- Some recycled varieties may seep chemicals (some toxic) harmful to plants
- Rubber mulch, like organic mulch, is dangerous if it is turned on.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Safety
In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authorized the use of recycled rubber to protect the surfaces of children's playgrounds. In addition, EPA has recently studied air and surface samples in four field and playgrounds that use recycled tires. The limited study, conducted from August to October 2008, found that the concentrations of the materials that make up the tire crumbs are below levels considered dangerous. In addition, the study protocol as a whole and many of the methods found are appropriate and can be implemented in the field. However, the study notes that due to its limited nature and large material diversity used to make tire crumbs, no definite conclusions can be achieved.
The Environmental Health Hazard Rating Office of the California Environmental Protection Agency tested skin sensitization with play surfaces made from recycled tires and found no observed sensitization indicating that this surface would not cause skin sensitization in children, nor was it expected to cause skin reactions in children. children are sensitive to latex.
ChemRisk, Inc. in Pittsburgh undertook a review of exposure to recycled tire rubber found in playgrounds and synthetic grasslands. They conclude that there is no adverse effect on human health or ecological health that may result from the use of this favorable tire material.
Although rubber mulch is generally considered safe, recycled rubber tires contain minerals and certain compounds that may be ecotoxic in high concentrations. Recycled tire recycling can contain small amounts of various minerals from the tire manufacturing process and other chemicals that may be taken during the life of the tire. The larger the surface area of ​​the synthetic rubber waste pellet, the greater the potential for damage to the hazardous constituents. For the ruins of the washed tires, the environmental (potential) impacts of zinc and organic toxins have been demonstrated.
See also
- Mulch
- Rubber
- Retread
- Tire Recycling
- Green Building
- Plastic mulch
References
External links
- New York grass field study
- Rubber Landscape Myth
- Artificial Grass: Exposure to Soil Rubber Tire - Athletic Field, Playground, Mulch Garden
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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