How is mulch made from rubber tires?
In recent years, rubber mulch has become a popular landscaping alternative. Rubber mulch is a safe, long-lasting alternative to traditional mulch and it has the benefit of helping the environment by recycling old tires into a newer and more useful form.CollectionThe first step in the process of making rubber mulch is to collect old tires from landfills.ShreddingTo make pieces of rubber small enough to be used for mulch (1/8 inch to 1/2 inch), the discarded tires are placed into large machines that shred them.DevulcanizationWhen tires are originally created, they go through a heating process known as vulcanization that helps them maintain their desired properties. After the tires are shredded, they go through a devulcanization process so that the rubber does not lose its desirable elasticity and insulation properties.Steel RemovalTires have traces of steel that need to be removed to make the rubber safe for use on playgrounds or other areas.
