Recycled rubber can be used in a variety of products to reduce the impact of rubber production and disposal of the earth. The most common forms of these recycled products including rubber matting, rubber mulch, rubber flooring, and granulated rubber. The granulated rubber can be used in the treatment of recycled tires.
Rubber mulch is a relatively new product, which is used in a variety of settings. The mulch is often made of unwanted tires. There are various grades and sizes of rubber mulch. Recreational grade rubber mulch is often used in playground settings, and are generally smaller in size than landscaping mulch. The lower the certified percentage of recycled metal in rubber, the safer the rubber mulch can be.
Recycled rubber can also be transformed to the floor products. This floor can be used both indoors and outdoors as a clean alternative. Outdoor rubber flooring is often made to mimic the look of pavers or grass, while the indoor counterparts can be made to look like wood or colorful mats suitable for use in a playroom or home gym. This type of flooring is often in pieces that are assembled to create one large rubber mat.
Recycled rubber can also be the reason for a detailed schedule, to be used in a variety of products. Granular rubber is often used to repair worn tires or low-grade manufacturing tires for use on outdoor equipment such as lawnmowers and wheelbarrows. Also known as granules, granular rubber can also be used in the production of shoe soles and floor mats, and in road construction.
Asphalt road construction is common in many Western countries. Although the material can be easy to pour and manipulate, the addition of recycled rubber to improve durability and flexibility of the asphalt, thereby reducing the number of cracks and repair costs over time. Recycled rubber is often placed under the asphalt, so that the road to move with the weight of passing cars and trucks.
Recycled rubber is graded depending on the amount of metal found in products made from it. Typically, the two standards used in grading are exterior grade and premium grade, although there may be sub-categories of scores between these two designations. Exterior grade rubber products may have more metal in the mix than those made of premium quality recycled material. While the exterior grade materials are often used in landscaping and road construction, premium grade is usually reserved for floor and playground material.