What was once stacked as high as an elephant's eye in junk yards and dumps has reinvented itself into all kinds of useful products for the green movement. I love running on tracks that are made from recycled tires and I enjoy crazy art made from them, but recycled rubber tire mulch brings it home for the general homeowner who wants to make a difference.
Recycled rubber tire mulch is a product that provides multiple benefits with very little drawback. Wood mulch has to be constantly replenished through the seasons, and easily gets blown all around or floats away when a good storm comes through. Not the same with rubber mulch... you get a product that that is long lasting and has the density to stay put while still allowing for moisture to permeate through to plant roots. Recycled rubber tire mulch's only negative draw back is it's up front cost. Wood mulch will usually always have a lower price point due to it's lower production cost, but down the road you actually get a better savings when you go with the rubber mulch. All you have to do is estimate how much you would spend replenishing your wood mulch over the years and then do the math! Bite the bullet and spend the money for the recycled rubber tire mulch... you save money in the long run.
Below is a picture of rubber mulch that's been in my front yard for over a year and a half now:
Since installing it in my own yard I've been thoroughly pleased with the results. It's usually recommended that you install a weed barrier under your mulch, but I went ahead and applied it right over the existing soil. So far I have noticed very little weed growth compared to the rock and landscape fabric I had originally. I strongly believe that the density of the recycled rubber tire mulch helps deter weed growth even though it's not an advertised selling point marketed by the manufacturers.
With all of this said, I really do have to recommend that you start throwing "tires" in your yard. You get to save money over time, you get a product that lasts against time and the elements, and most of all... you get to be green and sustainable with your choice to use recycled rubber tire mulch.