Mulch in Theme Parks

May 16th, 2012

The advent of summer always comes with long days of blissful boredom and days at the beach. For many parents, however, summer also comes with the headache of figuring out what to do with the kids during the long hours of boredom that plague them. Clubs and day camps are good, but they only make up for a small part of the day. A great way to give the kids a good time is by taking them to the amusement park. While this may seem like a hassle and conspicuous consumption, when done correctly this isn’t the case.

If you know you have a whole summer ahead of you, purchase season tickets to a theme park or amusement park that is close to home. This lowers the cost significantly. How? Let’s take a prominent theme park as an example; Six Flags Great Adventures charges an average of sixty dollars for season passes. If you make it a once a week trip, bringing sandwiches and keeping the kids happy all day, you visit the park an average of eight times, totaling less than ten dollars per child for a full day of keeping them occupied.  This is a bargain; just a trip to Michael’s to get some crafts can quickly add up, costing twenty dollars per child. A large park like Six Flags also offers lots of fun and excitement to keep the kids busy all summer long, and carpooling with friends is also a great way to minimize transportation time.

Aside for being a great way to keep the kids busy, some amusement and theme parks feature rubber mulch playground flooring, which is an extra safety measure, and helps educate kids about the importance of going green. In fact, Six Flags just announced that for the next three years they will be encouraging the safety and eco-friendly aspect of rubber mulch by encouraging patrons to scan barcodes at mulch scanning areas in order to receive a coupon for mulch at Lowe’s.

As the world’s largest regional theme park company, the move by Six Flags to promote playground mulch says a lot about its importance in playgrounds, theme parks, landscaping, and for many other uses.

Community Action on Arbor Day

May 3rd, 2012

The monumental Arbor Day was celebrated in mid-April this year, and on April 27 the students at Ella G. Clarke school in Lakewood Township celebrated Arbor Day with Mayor Menashe Miller and officials of the Shade Tree Commission.

Arbor Day’s purpose is to bring awareness to the plight of trees worldwide, and to urge people to plant more trees. The Ella G. Clarke school answered the call to action by planting a new Star Magnolia tree in the front yard. At the celebration, the children gathered around the freshly planted tree as Mayor Miller handed a proclamation to Michael Gross, the Chairman of the Shade Tree Commission, in honor of the event. The children then sang a song and thanked the Mayor and other officials present for choosing their school for the site of the new Star Magnolia tree. In previous years, trees were planted at the OEM/EMS building and the Public Works Complex in honor of Arbor Day.

Around the United States, communities participated in ceremonies such as these throughout the month of April by celebrating the life of trees and all they give to our planet. Rubberecycle is a known promoter of the Green Revolution, Arbor Day, and all that comes with it. They manufacture rubber flooring products which are made from recycled rubber, a key way to help save the environment. Rubberecycle rubber flooring comes in various forms for everyday use. They support the many communities who supported Arbor Day this year.

Fairfax County, Virginia also helped bring meaning to Arbor Day with a series of programs and events. These included Community Service Stream Clean Up, Urban Forestry Workshops, Arbor Day Tree Planting, Environmental Education, Games for Kids, and more. They even had plans to move it inside in case it rained. They also had hands-on volunteer work, tabling, educational workshops, and exhibitions by area environmental groups and businesses scheduled throughout the day.

The city of Naperville did its part by holding its annual tree sale. Hosted by the Naperville Public Works, residents selected from hundreds of trees of many varieties at fantastic savings. Public Works employees were on hand to help residents load trees into their vehicles, and experts from the Morton Arboretum were present to help answer tree questions, offer planting advice, and distribute literature.

Rubberecycle does good for the environment all year long, and this year, many communities joined the effort on Arbor Day.

 

Earth Day 2012

April 22nd, 2012

There are days and national holidays to commemorate various turning points in history and birthdays of leaders of our nation. Each one comes and goes with relief at a day off from work and school, but that’s about it. There’s no sentiment involved. And then there’s Earth Day. Earth Day is more than just a commemoration; it’s a call to action, urging people worldwide to help save our planet.

This year, the Earth Day Network is working to trigger a billion acts of green, the largest environmental service campaign in the world. They are steadily building commitments by individuals, organizations, governments, and businesses, in honor of Earth Day.

Rubberecycle, manufacturers of rubber mulch, work year round to contribute to the Green Revolution by manufacturing rubber mulch from recycled rubber tires. Rubberecycle manufactures Playsafer playground mulch and other products that are environmentally friendly. They work tirelessly to bring awareness to the great cause of the Green Revolution, in much the same way as the Earth Day Network. On this day, Earth Day, there is no better time to help support the environment by purchasing recycled rubber mulch that will keep kids safe all summer long.

A Billion Acts of Green inspires and rewards both simple individual acts and larger organizational initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and support sustainability. The goal is to register one billion actions in advance of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development happening in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012.

This year, Earth Day is being heralded by a reception in Washington D.C.’s National Mall, and events across the country. Some notable contributions to a Billion Acts of Green include:

Schools Becoming Green: Earth Day Network has worked to remodel40 schools across the globe with eco-friendly technologies and resources. From installing solar panels to planting school gardens, the progress in education has been incredible, and continues to grow.

Ocean Conservancy: More than 10 million green acts came from the Ocean Conservancy, following their annual International Costal Clean-Up Day, which has seen nearly 9 million volunteers from 152 countries work to clean shores, streams, rivers and the ocean.

Earth Hour: Every year on March 26, millions of people participate in Earth Hour, turning off their electricity.

Earth Day Philippines: Through massive tree plantings, water projects, river clean-ups, recycling drives and school greenings, Earth Day Philippines contributed over 12 million Acts of Green.

Peace Corps: In partnership with the Peace Corps, Earth Day Network worked with local volunteers to implement environmental and civic education programs, tree-plantings, village clean-ups and recycling seminars in rural areas of Ukraine, Georgia, Albania and Paraguay, helping to build environmental awareness in some of the world’s most underserved communities.

 

 

The U.S. Military’s Reliance on Rubber

April 19th, 2012

Over the past decade war has become a common household word. Currently, American troops are fighting two major wars simultaneously, one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. There are many pieces of equipment that give these warriors the edge and ensure that the U.S. military has the upper hand. Manufactured rubber has countless uses in the military, from the heavy duty soles of boots to the stocks and handholds of guns.

Soldiers’ shoes alone count for tons of rubber. The boots used by the military are made rugged and hardy, able to withstand the most rigorous conditions. They also have padded comfort features for soldiers who are on their feet all day. The rubber treads are an integral part of the perfect boot. Goggles and glasses are made with frames that feature high-grade rubber for glasses that will fit well but won’t cause excessive sweat. Rubber is featured everywhere on the soldier’s body, from kneepads to handholds.

Rubber is even used by the military for training purposes. The best shooting ranges feature Rubberecycle rubber mulch flooring and backstops for reduced danger of bullets ricocheting and sound echoes. The mulch makes training safer and more effective. The U.S. military uses only the best for America’s finest, and this means rubber flooring and gear.

The government echoes the sentiments of most Americans when it comes to going green by putting a cap on greenhouse emissions and by making government offices leaner and greener throughout the country. Another easy step in that direction would be to recycle old rubber items used in the military. With technology hurtling forward at breakneck speed, every year more rubber objects become obsolete and require disposal. This would translate into tons of recycled rubber and would not only bring in revenue through sales of the mulch, but would also give other private industries around the world a positive working example of how to go green and make money. With a mixture of the right ideology and conviction the world can become a better, healthier place. It can start with the U.S. military.

Arbor Day Foundation — Educating About Trees

April 9th, 2012

The Arbor Day Foundation is all about the continuity of the earth’s trees and preventing deforestation by preserving trees. They run numerous programs to promote awareness and urge people to action. There are many eco-friendly organizations and movements internationally, but the Arbor Day Foundation has met with unparalleled success. Their programs span all spectrums and cultures, uniting people in the quest to save our planet.

One of the services the Foundation offers is that they sell trees at discounted prices. The online store features an extensive selection, with everything from fir trees to Red Maples and beyond. While simple in concept, this is the first step in offering people with a way to plant more trees – selling them at low prices. This is similar to Rubberecycle’s method of working to save the planet by selling recycled rubber mulch at low prices.

The Arbor Day Foundation goes so far as to offer significant rewards for joining the program: ten free trees for personal use, or ten trees to be planted in the nation’s forests. To choose personal trees, users merely have to enter their zip code for a list of trees that will thrive in their area.

Among the many services they offer, the Arbor Day Foundation features a ‘What Tree is That’ tool, which helps everyone from adults to children identify the tree they are interested in, and its significant features. ‘What Tree is That’ is also available in a mobile version, as well as pocket field guides. It’s great for everyone from the young student to the professional arborist.

The Arbor Day site covers everything one would need to know about planting a tree. There is a link to a list of online tree forums, the Arbor Day Foundation blog, tree care tips, tree-related publications, and more. Also available is information and inspiration to create a backyard woods, as well as detailed guides and the means to do it.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a model of quiet efficiency, honoring Arbor Day and our planet. Rubberecycle is viewed in the same light, offering consumers with recycled rubber mulch that is well priced, practical, easy to install, and improves lifestyles. What’s there not to like? As the support for Arbor Day and its foundation grows, it’s important to keep in mind the importance of safe and eco-friendly rubber mulch as summer nears and playgrounds are revamped.

Baseball and Rubber Flooring

April 4th, 2012

…And Kentucky wins! Coach John Callipari has led his team to victory with a future NBA star in Anthony Davis leading the way for Kentucky. When March Madness is over it heralds the arrival of America’s favorite pastime; baseball. Many look forward to Sunday afternoons in the park eating hot dogs and beer while cheering on their teams. There is, however, one part of the game that many miss, thinking it insignificant. This is the pre-game stretches and workout sessions, in training rooms that are equipped with rubber flooring.

Every Major League ballplayer will tell you that these stretches are of utmost importance; no player wants to jump for a high fly ball and overextend their body, resulting in injury. The importance of stretching and loosening up before the game can provide a valuable lesson for children of all ages – that health and keeping one’s body in shape comes before everything else.

Every MLB team has a state of the art workout room where the players get in shape, and of utmost importance to the players is that this workout room should be covered in rubber flooring. As funny as it sounds, rubber plays a big part in baseball. From the rubber soled sneakers and cleats that provide a rock solid grip when stealing bases and chasing errant ground balls, to the flooring in gyms, rubber enhances the players’ ability to achieve greater success. The importance in the type of flooring is evident in the differences players find when playing on grass or artificial turf. Different surfaces have varied characteristics, and rubber is the gold standard.

One way that Rubberecycle rubber mulch flooring is different from its rubber counterparts is that it is recycled, another great point to make in children’s education. Children may recognize the rubber used in baseball as a close cousin of the rubber in playgrounds because both work toward the same goal; better safety while having fun. Next time you’re at the ballpark come early to watch the players stretch, and stress the importance of their actions to your children in the hope that one day they will follow suit.

Arbor Day and Earth Day Fast Approaching

March 27th, 2012

Earth Day is a day that is dedicated to inspiring awareness for the Earth’s natural environment, and green living practices. John McConnell originally founded Earth Day at a 1969 UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. He designated the first day of spring, March 21, as Earth Day. The first Earth Day was observed in 1970 in San Francisco. At about the same time Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a separate Earth Day on April 22. Although it was originally observed on March 21, today Earth Day is celebrated globally on April 22.

On the March 21 Earth Day the UN traditionally rings in Earth Day at the moment of the equinox by ringing the Japanese Peace Bell, which was donated by Japan to the United Nations. Many countries celebrate at the same time as the UN. The equinox Earth Day at the UN is organized by the Earth Society Foundation.

The April 22 Earth Day marks the beginning of the modern day movement to go green. It works in collaboration with Arbor Day, which is observed on or around April 10 every year, depending on that year’s climate and seasonal changes. Like Earth Day, today Arbor Day is celebrated around the world, honoring the environment from which we benefit and bringing awareness to its preservation. In fact, it even has a foundation built in its honor, known as the Arbor Day Foundation, which works tirelessly to bring awareness to the importance of environmental conservation.

With Arbor Day and Earth Day fast approaching, many communities are working to organize events to honor the environment and raise awareness to the cause. Using recycled rubber mulch is a great way to honor the environment. This year, Disney Movie Rewards has worked in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation to supply 50 trees to each school in the U.S. that applies and is found eligible for the trees. The New Jersey Tree Foundation is doing the same, albeit not supplying trees to schools exclusively.

Many different activities and events will be planned this year for Arbor Day and Earth Day to plant and care for trees. An easy way that consumers can help is by using rubber mulch flooring, which is recycled, saving the environment the task of dealing with used rubber.

 

5 Spectacular Playgrounds

March 19th, 2012

Playgrounds today are becoming more and more sophisticated, with carefully planned designs and themes, extreme safety measures, making rubber mulch flooring a standard, and playground equipment that is meant to stimulate young minds and bodies. Some cities across the U.S. take this phenomenon to a whole new level, with playgrounds that are appealing and unbelievable!

Clemyjontri Park

Located in McLean, Virginia, Clemyjontri Park is built with a rainbow of colors that make a splash. The motto of the park is “Where every child can play,” and this is the case, with equipment that is wheelchair accessible and allows disabled and healthy children to play side by side. Some ways in which this is achieved is with ramps connecting structures, swings with high backs, arm rests, and other safety features, rubber mulch surfacing that allows wheelchairs to roll easily, and other accommodations. The park also boasts a wide variety of activities and equipment that teaches reading, time-telling, and balance skills.

The Geometry Playground

This playground is more of an exhibit than a playground, as it is part of San Francisco’s Exploratorium museum, and it travels between cities. The Geometry Playground is built with geometrical factors that stretch limbs as well as minds. The playground is currently at the Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo, Texas. It has inspired a Geometric structure that is being installed in the playground of a San Francisco school.

Adventure Playground

Located in Berkeley, California, the Adventure Playground is not finished. That’s right, kids who visit are armed with hammers, nails, and ropes, and are instructed in how to build their own structures. There’s nothing like swinging on a zip-line that you made yourself, and the Adventure Playground gives kids the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Powell Barnett Park

This park in Seattle, WA was named for a local community hero, and is as impressive as its name. It features amenities such as a wading pool, Frisbee field, and mini castles, equipped with turrets and all. It even offers elaborate climbing structures and a tricycle maze! The Powell Barnett Park is the park for the kid who has it all and has seen it all.

Franklin Square

Philadelphia is a city of history, and nothing says it like Franklin Square, a conglomeration of old and new. Located in Philadelphia’s Historic District, Franklin Square is one of the five original squares planned for the city by William Penn. It features a nod to its heritage with a beautiful carousel, mini-golf course, and a shaded play area, as well as high tech new playground equipment and rubber mulch flooring. It’s the perfect place for kids to learn about the past while having fun.

 

Rubber Flooring in Nursing Homes

March 7th, 2012

As the republican primaries roar on, one topic that doesn’t go away is social security. Many believe that the system is broken and in need of serious repair, while others maintain that the system will hold strong. All this debate is caused by baby boomers; the exploding elderly population. The elderly population brings many hard questions not only to the campaign trail, but into many Americans homes. One big cause of debate is what to do when one’s parents need care on a daily basis. The biggest concern weighing on children’s minds is trying to find a safe home for their parents. When looking into nursing homes, the presence of rubber flooring is a reassuring safety factor.

Getting old brings a slew of safety concerns into focus. One example is osteoporosis, a bone degeneration disease. As of January 2012, osteoporosis has afflicted over 200 million women worldwide. Rubber flooring provides a cushion for absorption of hard falls that would otherwise result in broken bones and serious injuries. It also provides better traction, preventing slips and falls.

Rubber flooring brings many other benefits to the table. Besides for being safer, rubber floors are also cheaper, easier to maintain, and environmentally friendly. What better way to bridge the gap between grandchildren and grandparents than by way of the environment. Rubber flooring, a derivative of rubber mulch, is made from recycled tires. The same tires that were put to good use by the past generation are now being used to assure their safety, all the while making this planet a safer place for future generations.

For many, the hardest decision is whether to send their loved ones to a nursing home or to care for them at home. Many feel that they aren’t doing the right thing by sending away the father or mother that cared for them so lovingly. This view is compounded by the many horror stories out there of nursing home abuse. While there are some bad apples, nursing homes on a whole are usually safe, happy places for the elderly to spend the remainder of their lives. The fact is that having an older parent at home can be a burden on the entire family and can lead to stressful relationships. Research should be done to find a home that correlates with the parents needs. The residents at the home should be around the same age so that they can enjoy each other’s company. The most important concern should be home safety. Elderly baby boomers require many tough decisions; making rubber flooring a must shouldn’t be one of them.

 

Car Tires in the Daytona 500

February 29th, 2012

Many of us look forward to the Daytona 500, the major race in the NASCAR season, all year. NASCAR is one of those all-American feel-good sports. It’s the sport you would watch your dad cheer on as you watched eagerly from the side trying hopelessly to figure out what was going on. This week the biggest race of the year took place, as always, in Daytona Beach Florida. The iconic race has been going on since 1959, and is by far the most prestigious race of the year. In the past, winners like Jeff Gordon have gone on to become national celebrities and household names. Any race car driver will tell you that tire recycling and safety is high on the list of priorities.

In our society, celebrities and athletes are very often the role models our children look up to and aspire to be like. As we teach our kids right from wrong, one very important lesson to impart to them is that of safety. In a sport as dangerous as racing, the cons of mediocre safety jump at us every time an accident takes place. One of the most important safety concerns lies in the tire of the racing cars. In the past horrific crashes have occurred due to tires falling off, failing to stop on time, and having a blowout. Seriously used tires must be recycled for a constructive purpose, namely, rubber mulch, with new, safe tires replacing the old.

Even as little kids a coveted toy has always been a set of matchbox cars, or better yet, a remote control NASCAR car model. Although safety is of paramount concern in this sport, as it is with every other sport, sadly, serious injuries and even fatalities occur every couple of years. This can be prevented by properly caring for car tires, and recycling tires when they are worn down, to be used for rubber mulch and other rubber flooring options.

In every NASCAR race you can rest assured that the cars are being properly maintained because every driver wants his car to be in perfect racing condition. However are you sure your tires are in good condition? Tires should be checked very often to ensure they still have plenty of life to them, and when used, should be made into rubber flooring.