Every year after Christmas, the streets are lined with orphaned Christmas trees awaiting their fate as the garbage trucks slowly make their rounds. In the past few years, New York City has been urging people to recycle their trees with Mulchfests. What this entails is that for two days after Christmas the city sets up centers in parks around New York and the five boroughs where people can bring their trees to be shredded into wood chips for free. Tree owners have the option of taking the wood chips home with them in a biodegradable bag provided by the city, or leaving them for the city’s use.

This year the Mulchfest will take place on January 7 and 8 in 70 sites around the city. 35 of the sites will be chipping sites, where the wood is shredded on the spot, and the other 35 will be drop-off sites, from where the city will collect the trees to be recycled. Last year, close to 17,000 Christmas trees were recycled, and New York officials hope to beat that number this year.

The Mulchfest is just one of the ways that the U.S. federal and state governments are trying to bring awareness to the importance of recycling and reusing. While wood chips have many practical uses, in some ways rubber mulch trumps wood. Rubber chips are also recycled, made from old tires. They are more durable than wood, lasting many years, and are great for use in playgrounds, horse arenas, and gardens.

Those who take part in the Mulchfest are trying to do their part to help clean up our planet. In the same vein, it is worthwhile to look into the many uses of rubber mulch, and continue the chain of recycling.

As discussed in the previous post, grass takes a huge toll on the environment, as well as your wallet. Groundcover, rubber mulch, and ornamental grasses were discussed as good alternatives to natural grass. There are a few more options that will also take the place of grass at a lower cost financially, and to the planet.

Clover is a leafy plant that comes in various forms. It is used to condition soil and to choke out weeds. It is a good alternative to grass because it needs little watering or mowing, and no fertilizer. It also stays green throughout the summer, and costs little to purchase. The plant only grows to about four to eight inches high. It should not, however, be used in play areas or areas of constant use.

Flower and shrub beds are an excellent option for areas of low usage, and are great for sloping, hard to mow areas. Shade-loving flowers can be planted beneath trees or overhangs, areas where grass may have a hard time growing. They will also add to the aesthetic appeal. When planting flower beds, it is important to mulch around the plants. The mulch will keep the soil moist, and protect it from weeds. You can choose from a variety of options, including rubber mulch for landscaping, leaf mold, sawdust, and other options. Flower and shrub beds should be planted raised, and with a small variety of flowers.

There are many great alternatives to grass in a garden or lawn that will retain a pretty effect, with benefits to all involved parties. The specifics will be individualized to the garden in question, but in almost any area, some of the grass can be eliminated with creative alternatives.

Large, beautiful lawns of grass bring beauty to any area, but they can cost the environment greatly, aside for monetary expenses. Lots of fuel must be used for lawn mowers, lawns consume lots of water, and there are toxic emissions, among other concerns. There are many excellent alternatives to grass that will provide a beautiful garden or lawn without using natural grass.

Groundcovers are plants which spread across the soil, but do not grow high. They can be used as a form of mulch, and they are usually chosen for texture, density, and how well they prevent weeds. Unlike grass, these plants require little or no maintenance. Common forms of groundcover are flowers such as perennials and evergreens, and edible forms, such as strawberries.

Rubber mulch is excellent for permanent walkways, pathways, and driveways. It is also used around plants. Landscape mulch is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and is commonly used in backyards and playgrounds. Rubber mulch comes in numerous colors to fit and enhance any landscaping design. Because of its synthetic nature, the rubber surfacing also needs little or no maintenance, resulting in no cost to the environment. In fact, it is made out of recycled tires, benefitting the environment.

Ornamental grass comes in many forms, and is synthetically produced. The grass is drought resistant, and requires little maintenance, utilizing a lot less fertilizer and water. Ornamental grass looks exactly like naturally grown grass, with less cost to the environment.

Rubber mulch is one of many excellent alternatives that can keep lawns beautiful, easily maintainable, and eco friendly.

Playgrounds are meant for children to play in and enjoy, but that doesn’t mean that they have to be eyesores. There are companies devoted to designing the most aesthetically pleasing playgrounds for the area, as well as providing the best that playground equipment has to offer.

The first step for any playground is the purchase of rubber mulch. Rather than the wood chips or blacktop of old, rubber mulch is the playground flooring of the future. Constructed from recycled rubber, the chips are made to resemble wood, with an extra shock absorbing quality that makes them the best option for playground safety. Unlike wood, rubber mulch also does not freeze in the winter, maintaining a cushiony softness that is the perfect texture for children’s antics.

From a design perspective, the playground flooring comes in a variety of colors, including green, orange, rust, and many more. Rubber mulch is also odor free, and is non-staining and non-abrasive. The color does not fade over time, maintaining a healthy, vibrant look. It is important to coordinate the color of the rubber mulch with the surrounding fence of the play area, if there is one, and its relation to the rest of the playground gear. Depending on the area, it may be a good idea to cordon off one section of the playground with rubber mulch, and landscape the rest with grass, or vice versa.

Playground equipment is constantly being improved, with more creative ways for children to play, and innovative designs that keep the equipment pleasing to the eye. The options are endless, with jungle gyms in futuristic designs and color codes to match any design specifications. There are playground sets that also come with thematic elements, boasting a wood look, futuristic appeal, and much more. It is important to take into account the wishes of the children who will actually use the playground in question.

If this is an option, it is always nice to design the playground in tandem with the surroundings, taking into account the landscaping. Bushes and natural hedges are a classic way of encircling the play area, with rubber mulch surrounding the center jungle gym.

The options when designing a playground are endless, and as a considerable investment, it’s worth taking the time to do thorough research. Rubber mulch is a staple in any playground, and then the rest will follow.

Clovis schools Superintendent Terry Myers shared the following vision and provided an update on district projects:

Our focus is on student performance in our classrooms. Every child is important and must succeed in our schools. Every child — every time will be our standard.

We also appreciate the continued support of our community. The quality education we provide for our children in Clovis would not be possible without this support. We hope to continue to provide a quality education for our children at CMS. It is our sincere desire to set the standard, in and outside of the classroom for public schools in New Mexico.

We are pleased to continue to honor our construction commitment to our community. Major construction is nearing completion at Marshall Middle School and La Casita Elementary.

A first-day-of-school visit to La Casita Elementary’s ribbon-cutting ceremony represented so well the sheer joy that comes with new beginnings. While much of the major construction is still under way inside blocked-off wings of the main building, student enthusiasm remained undimmed. The ribbon-cutting was to celebrate the official opening of the new playground equipment, installed on a bed of Playsafer rubber mulch, providing a soft and safe playground surface under the equipment, a great use of 21st century resources and frequently used on school and public playgrounds http://www.rubberecycle.com/.

The prospect of the completed new playground was clearly tantalizing for students. As the ribbon was cut, students surged forward, cheering in delight as they charged onto the play area, grade by grade, and attacked the attractive recreational equipment. It was one of those laugh-out-loud moments, watching the utter joy of those students.

Robert Brault said, “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

source: http://www.cnjonline.com/news/forward-44703-looks-superintendent.html

School is out, and most teachers and school administration are enjoying their brief break. After a few short weeks, the time will come to start thinking about the upcoming school year!  So much goes into the planning of the new school year, and with that, lots of things get overlooked.

For starters, making sure that all the teachers have their curriculum set up early is a great way to avoid last minute aggravation. Plus, the classrooms should be refreshed by taking down all the old posters and charts that may have been hanging all year long. Desks and chairs should be cleaned thoroughly to insure a pleasant learning experience.  Also, double checking that the A/C and heating is working properly before school begins, is a smart move on your part, in order to avoid the hassle once school has begun.

Last but not to be forgotten, is the outdoors!  Making your school look attractive and safe on the outside is a huge plus that teachers, students, and parents alike, will definitely appreciate.  It’s not too pricy, and if you install Playsafer Rubber Mulch, you won’t need to maintain it, which is perfect for the busy school.

When it comes to School playgrounds, it’s important to have a nice size area where the kids can run around freely. It’s the time for the students to reenergize, which makes it very important to have a well done playground. The surface of the playground is just as important and be sure not to leave a bear cement floor for them to play on.

Rubberecycle manufacturers rubber granulated mulch for flooring, special for schools that want to do their utmost to keep their students safe.  It’s safe and ADA approved which is a great aspect for schools. Students will definitely love it; it’s colorful, bouncy, and neat. Parents will love it too, knowing that their kids are safe at school.  So Schools, Daycare centers, and Township, make a safe and smart investment for your playground today!

With the weather turning warm, we tend to be spending less time indoors, and more time outdoors. No matter what you do out there, there’s no denying the sense of relaxation the outdoors brings. For all those gardeners out there and even those who don’t like gardening, or just don’t have time, but still want their yard to look nice, this is your time of year! Some of us put hours into our gardens while some of us wish to but don’t have time and energy. It can also be quiet costly if you think about everything that goes into gardening.

One thing that’s been around for a while, and plenty of gardeners are pretty busy with, is mulching. Mulching is simple and could give a real nice look to you garden. The latest rubber mulch, is all the rage these days- and for good reasons! With tons of happy users, Rubber Mulch is taking over the gardening industry and changing it for the better. Being that it’s rubber, it’s clean and easy to handle. There’s no mess involved and it’s quick and easy to install.

Rubberecycle manufacturer of Playsafer that creates Rubber Mulch and on their web site they have a convenient Rubber Mulch Calculator. It’s basically the smartest way to insure that you purchase the right quantity, thereby avoiding a waste of your money.  Rubber Mulch it’s great for our environment,  just needs to be installed once and it’ll be good for years to come.  Playsafer Rubber Mulch is maintenance free! It comes in a variety of different colors which can add some beautiful life  to your garden and landscape. What’s more, your garden will stay put through all weather conditions, will not blow away or  freeze during the winter month.

You can place the playsafer mulch in the summer and come winter, it’ll look as good as new. It’s also worth the price if you calculate how much it would be to go through with all the gardening supplies and even wood mulch, which you have to replace every so often. Rubber Mulch will also keep out weeds and keep only good nutrient in, which is fabulous for your garden. No matter what flooding , rain or snow storms, or wind, you can rest assured your garden will look lovely when the sun comes out.

Rubberecycle

I f you would like to find out more info regarding recycled rubber mulch you can contact

Rubberecycle.com

at

888-436-6846
732-363-0600
Fax: 732-370-4247
info at rubberecycle.com

Safety technology has advanced so much in the last 50 years such as side impact airbags on cars, which has helped reduce deaths on roads. Another big technological advancement that is starting to gain national attention is rubber mulch. Rubber mulch consists of small rubber granules that are designed to provide extra safety for kids on playgrounds.

With gas prices once again causing major damage on Americans wallets, it’s more important than ever to go green. Rubber mulch is made purely of recycled tires and rubber material, which benefits the environment greatly. Reusing rubber helps decrease the amount of trees cut down in the rainforests of the world each year. With Earth Day and Arbor Day becoming more and more important, it’s necessary to recycle rubber. Another positive impact is the fact that rubber mulch needs only minimum maintenance. This frees up costs and time in the long run.

The most important reason to utilize rubber mulch for playgrounds is because of safety. Recycled rubber has the amazing ability to comfort a fall from up to twelve feet compared to only one foot for asphalt. This means that children in America can play hard and safe at the same time. Specifically, the White House has a playground with rubber mulch because they know that safety and being environmentally conscious is vital for America’s future. Overall, rubber mulch is the leading safety surface for playgrounds.

Each year more than 500,000 children are taken to the emergency room as a result of an accident or fall on the playground. Nearly 70 percent of these injuries are the result of falls, rather than equipment-related. Rubberecycle mulch company, the manufacturer of Playsafer Rubber Mulch, provides tips to parents to keep kids happy and safe while playing in playgrounds during the spring and summer months.

Rubberecycle recognizes findings from a study that again confirms the safety of using recycled rubber for athletic fields and playgrounds. The study looked at children and adults and found no elevated health risks. The announcement from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) validates findings from separate studies conducted by five other agencies and that of playground rubber mulch.

The two-year study by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) looked at fields containing crumb rubber infill, which is recycled rubber. The study was a joint effort between four state agencies – the University of Connecticut Health Center, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In addition nine scientists from the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) reviewed the study.

Recycled rubber is also a safe choice for playgrounds and the same recycled rubber surface used by Little League teams. It has been recommended by those who treat children for playground falls – one of the most common injuries (see this video about playground safety).

“Recycled rubber has been again studied and found to be safe for our children. Rubberecycle notes that this is the surface the Obamas chose to use on the White House playground. Rubberecycle playground mulch is not only sound for environmental reasons but it protects kids from dangerous falls,” said Keith Sacks, Vice President of RubbeRecycle.

Other agencies to report similar findings of the Connecticut study include: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other governmental agencies, including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health, the New York City Department of Health, and the California EPA.

Rubberecycle gained national fame in 2009, when the company installed Playsafer rubber mulch on the White House’s first playground. After Barbara Tulipane and Rich Dolesh of The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) contacted the White House to emphasize playground safety, staff representatives of the Obama administration contacted Rubberecycle. The company installed the playgrounds surfacing, complete with rubber curbs and wear mats.

“Playsafer Rubber Mulch absorbs more shock impact than any other playground surface material. This is particularly important because more than 550,000 kids end up in the emergency room every year with serious playground injuries. Playsafer Rubber Mulch prevents broken bones and other problems that you get with other safety surfaces,” said Sacks.

The playground surface is the safest product on the market today. This playground surface was made from 1,400 used tires which make it environmentally friendly. It’s a popular safety surface for schools, municipalities, and daycare centers.

Dr. Sommerer states,

As the Safety Director and a doctor, he was concerned. “I see plenty of bone injuries in my practice and felt that we needed a better playground surfacing solution for our kids. We decided that wood fiber was no longer a safe or environmentally sound choice for our children. We chose to use “Playsafer” rubber mulch manufactured by Rubberecycle. I immediately noticed a difference. The surface is unbelievably soft and dry! I feel comfortable knowing that our children are much safer while playing on the tot lot. I see plenty of bone injuries in my practice. We needed a better solution. Wood fiber was no longer a safe or environmentally sound choice for our children.

In over 40 years of EPA oversight and OSHA regulated manufacturing, there has never been an instance of illness attributed recycled rubber on playgrounds or its use for synthetic turf. Instead, recycled rubber is a sound environmental solution. Rubberecycle processes between 10,000 and 12,000 tires a day and is designed to handle 2 million scrap tires annually, so it is part of the solution.

The Connecticut study can be viewed at ct.gov/dep/artificialturf

EPA Recommendations can be found at http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/tools/cpg/products/playgrnd.htm

About Rubberecycle:
Rubberecycle introduced top quality rubber surfacing products to the commercial, residential and military markets in 1998. Their playground mulch conforms to all CPSC, ASTM, and IPEMA (The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association) safety guidelines and is ADA approved. The pioneer in the tire recycling industry, Rubberecycle utilizes the most advanced technology and equipment to recycle tires on site. The resulting playground surfacing is low maintenance, safe for children and comes with a lifetime warranty and is a fantastic “Green Solution” for the safety of our children.

Environmental activists speak a lot about environmental pollution and other harmful activities being carried out. The drastic changes in the global climate are a result of the human actions. Every government is trying its best to encourage the citizens to use environment friendly products and recycle, reuse and reduce.

Rubber mulch is the environmentally friendly way to playground safety surface.    Everyone should consider rubber mulch as a playground safety surface for commercial and residential playgrounds.

Recycling of rubber materials like tires into rubber mulch will add great values and benefits to the environment.  Use of tire mulch for playground surfaces reduces kids from getting injured,  playgrounds that  have rubber mulch installed,  falls will be protected, as rubber mulch absorbs more shock, than any other playground surface will also protect the kids from other playground injuries like splinters and scraped knees.

Rubber mulch is environmentally friendly, as it is made from scrap tires.

The White House has discovered the benefits of rubber mulch for playground safety, as their first playground has rubber mulch installed. They also like the fact that rubber mulch is a ‘green’ product.

And this is what the playground at the White House looks like, with the rubber mulch playground safety surface.

Rubber Mulch Playground at the White House