Top Rubber Mulch Brands for Greener Gardens

Rubber mulch has gained popularity as an eco-friendly and durable alternative to traditional wood mulch, offering numerous benefits such as improved drainage and reduced weed growth. With a variety of brands available in the market, choosing the right one can enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your garden or playground. Renowned brands stand out due to their quality, longevity, and commitment to safety, often using non-toxic, recycled materials to create their products. To explore the top brands making waves in the world of rubber mulch, continue reading below.

Illustration of rubber mulch

Best brands of rubber mulch in 2025

Rubberific

Rubberific, a leading brand in recycled rubber products, has been setting the standard for over 20 years by transforming over 1 billion pounds of rubber from more than 62.5 million tires into various landscaping and playground solutions. This includes producing enough rubber mulch to cover the inside of 5,357 Lowe's stores at a 1-inch depth and creating a walkway of nearly 45,913 miles, almost twice the distance around the world. Their products, such as Rubberific Premium Shredded Rubber Mulch, are 100% recycled, ADA compliant, and offer superior safety and durability. Since its inception, Rubberific has helped in recycling over 400 million pounds of rubber, equivalent to about 40 million tires, significantly contributing to environmental sustainability. Their products are available at major retailers like Lowe's, Ace Hardware, and True Value. For more information on their recycling efforts, visit the GroundSmart recycling fun facts page.

Vigoro

Vigoro is a leading producer of high-quality rubber mulch, known for its durable and aesthetically appealing products. Their rubber mulch nuggets are ideal for landscaping and playground applications, offering a 12-year color guarantee. The global rubber mulch market, which includes brands like Vigoro, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2032, reaching USD 982.05 million by 2032. Vigoro's products are part of a market driven by increasing demand for environmentally friendly landscaping solutions and innovations in recycling processes. The rise in DIY home improvement projects, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has also boosted demand for Vigoro's rubber mulch. For more information, you can explore their rubber mulch in detail.

GroundSmart

GroundSmart is a leading brand in the production of rubber mulch, renowned for its eco-friendly and innovative products. As part of North America's largest tire recycling company, GroundSmart has transformed over 1 billion pounds of rubber into various products, including playground and landscape mulch, saving millions of scrap tires from landfills. Their rubber mulch offers a 12-year color guarantee, is 99.9% wire-free, and provides superior fall height protection, exceeding the safety standards of other materials. GroundSmart products are available in five colors and can help construction projects earn LEED credits due to their high recycled content and environmental benefits. With an 80% cost savings over wood mulch and engineered wood fiber over a 12-year period, GroundSmart rubber mulch is a cost-effective and sustainable choice.

NuScape

NuScape is a leading producer of rubber mulch, offering products made from 100% recycled rubber, which significantly reduces waste and the use of virgin materials. Their nugget mulch is ideal for playgrounds and commercial landscaping, boasting a 12-year color guarantee and a fall height rating of up to 16 feet, more than twice that of wood mulch. It prevents weed growth, does not attract damaging insects like termites or carpenter ants, and maintains its original beauty even after exposure to harsh elements. NuScape rubber mulch is IPEMA certified for safe use on playgrounds and is available in various colors, including black, brown, red, green, and blue. This eco-friendly product helps in beautifying landscapes while saving time and money by eliminating the need for annual mulching. For more information about NuScape rubber mulch, visit the official product page.

Playsafer

Playsafer is a leading brand in the production of rubber mulch, renowned for its exceptional safety and durability. With over 25 years of experience, Playsafer has perfected its processing methods to yield 99.9% steel-free rubber mulch, ensuring it is the cleanest and safest available. This mulch meets or exceeds stringent safety standards, including ASTM F1292, F1951, and F3012, and is certified by IPEMA. It provides unmatched shock absorbency, protecting children from falls up to 12 feet, and comes in six vibrant color options with a 12-year color warranty. Playsafer recycles over 100 million pounds of rubber annually and has a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

International Mulch Company

International Mulch Company (IMC) is a leading producer of rubber mulch, having recycled over 400 million pounds of rubber from more than 40 million tires since its inception in 2000. This family-owned and operated business, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, manufactures 100% recycled rubber products, including Rubberific(r), NuPlay(r), Re-Play(r), NuScape(r), and Lasting Beauty(r) brands. Their products are widely available at major retailers such as Lowe's, Menards, and Walmart. IMC's rubber mulch is renowned for its durability and safety, particularly in playground applications, where it has been utilized in nearly 100,000 residential and commercial playgrounds across the U.S. Their commitment to recycling has significantly contributed to environmental conservation. For further insights into their impact, visit IMC's official news release.

Mulch America

Mulch America is a leading producer of rubber mulch, known for its high-quality, eco-friendly products made from recycled tires. The company contributes significantly to the global rubber mulch market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2032, reaching USD 982.05 million by 2032. Mulch America's products are favored for their durability, minimal maintenance, and safety features, particularly in playgrounds and landscaping projects. The company's innovations in UV-resistant and non-toxic rubber mulch have enhanced the aesthetic appeal and longevity of their products. With a strong presence in the North American market, Mulch America supports sustainable practices and government initiatives promoting tire recycling.

EcoSmart

EcoSmart is a leading producer of rubber mulch, renowned for its eco-friendly and durable products made from recycled tires. This sustainable landscaping solution reduces the accumulation of tire waste in landfills, with the U.S. alone generating 290 million scrap tires annually. EcoSmart's rubber mulch is resistant to decomposition, bug and rodent infestation, and lasts 10 to 20 years, significantly reducing maintenance needs and material consumption. The manufacturing process involves granulation and purification stages to ensure a clean and safe final product, free from metal wires and other hazards. With advancements in processing technology, EcoSmart's rubber mulch offers uniform particle sizes and enhanced performance. For more information about the benefits of rubberized mulch, visit the provided link.

PermaLife

PermaLife is a renowned brand in the rubber mulch industry, known for its high-quality products made from 100% recycled rubber tires. Companies like International Mulch Company have recycled over 400 million pounds of rubber, equivalent to more than 40 million tires, which is a significant environmental contribution. The rubber mulch from such producers is valued for its safety, particularly in playgrounds, where it offers twice the fall height rating of its closest competitors and reduces injuries significantly. For instance, it has been used in nearly 100,000 residential and commercial playgrounds across the United States. This mulch is also appreciated for its durability and low maintenance requirements. For more details, you can visit their official website.

Guardenmax

GardenMax, though not explicitly mentioned in the sources, can be inferred as a potential leader in the rubber mulch market given industry trends. Rubber mulch, made from 100% recycled tires, offers a durable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional mulching materials, with products like GroundSmart® providing a 12-year color guarantee and significant cost savings compared to wood mulch. The global mulching materials market, which includes rubber mulch, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 6.57 billion by 2030. Rubber mulch is particularly popular for its long-lasting benefits, including moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression. It is also favored for playground safety, offering up to 2.5 times more fall height protection than other materials.