Scrap Tire News on Synthetic Turf Fields

A new edition of Scrap Tire News indicates that, using CalRecycle data, there are virtually no health risks for outdoor fields made of artificial turf. Check out a piece of the article below, and support companies, such as Rubber Bark™, that make products that are not only eco-friendly, but also completely safe.

Playgrounds and Synthetic Turf Fields There have been concerns about the health implications of the use of recycled tire crumb in playgrounds and in synthetic turf athletic fields. In response to these concerns, EPA conducted a Scoping Level Field Monitoring Study of Synthetic Turf Fields and Playgrounds. The final report was issued in 2009 and concluded that on average, concentrations of components monitored in this study were below levels of concern. To supplement this study’s limited data, EPA met with state and local representatives in 2010 to review other available field monitoring studies including a 2010 study conducted by the state of Connecticut which concluded that exposures and risks were not elevated (relative to what is commonly found in outdoor air) for either children or adults using the fields. A 2010 report by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery examined the possible human health risks of outdoor athletic fields made from artificial turf containing recycled crumb rubber with respect to skin abrasions, bacteria harbored by the turf, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. The report concluded these fields do not pose a serious public concern, with the possible exception of an increased skin abrasion rate on artificial turf relative to natural turf. At this point, EPA does not believe that the field monitoring data collected provides evidence of an elevated health risk resulting from the use of recycled tire crumb in playgrounds or in synthetic turf athletic fields. Ultimately, he use of recycled tire crumb or any other playground materials is a state and local decision.

California leads the way for recycling

According to CalRecycle, California is one of the leaders of recycling and green jobs in the nation. Rubber Bark™ is a small piece of that great recycling pie. As all you buzzers may know from the blog, Rubber Bark™ has worked with CalRecycle on many projects, and is always their to offer its services when CalRecycle's TDP (tire-derived product grants) come around. We are happy to read, from the November 15th press release below, that CalRecycle, and California in general, is leading the charge to greener living.

SACRAMENTO--As it joins the country in commemorating America Recycles Day 2011, California continues to be a national leader in recycling and waste reduction. Last year the state diverted 64 percent of its waste from entering landfills, nearly double the most recent United States national average, calculated in 2008 at just under 34 percent.

The recycling industry has emerged as a major component of California’s economy, supporting more than 140,000 green jobs. CalRecycle data suggests that recycling our waste creates twice as many jobs as when we dump it in the landfill. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), which stewards the state’s efforts to recycle materials into new products, applauds the commitment by Californians to protect the environment and preserve natural resources.

“We have boosted our waste diversion rate from just 10 percent back in 1989 to an estimated 64 percent today, and greatly reduced the amount of trash the average person throws away on a daily basis,” CalRecycle Director Caroll Mortensen said. “Through innovative statewide policies, the commitment of local government, a broad-based recycling economy and the enthusiasm of our residents, California embraces America Recycles Day 365 days a year.”

California kept 60 million tons of potential waste out of landfills in 2010 to achieve the equivalent of a 64 percent diversion rate. By comparison, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculates the most recent national recycling rate at 33.8 percent. Californians are leading the recycling charge across a variety of materials:

• As a nation we recycle 58 percent of our aluminum cans, but in California 94 percent of aluminum cans are recycled.
• Nationally, 28.2 percent of the waste in landfills is paper and cardboard. In California, paper and cardboard make up 17.3 percent of landfill material. CalRecycle is working to increase the recycling of many types of organic matter, including paper, food scraps and green waste.
• Since 2005, California has recycled more than 1 billion pounds of obsolete televisions and computer monitors, more than any other state.

Among the initiatives CalRecycle oversees are targets for cities and counties to divert waste from landfills, and programs to encourage the recycling of beverage containers, electronics, used oil, and waste tires.

CalRecycle grants of a different variety

Right now, CalRecycle has a lot of tire related grants that are currently accepting applications for funding. While most of the grants do not directly apply to Rubber Bark™ they are all worthwhile to check out. 

Rubber Bark™ mainly deals with the TDP (tire-derived product) grants, and those applications were due last month, but the ones that are currently open range from TRP (rubberized pavement), TDA (tire-derived aggregate) to waste tire enforcement agencies to get in on the fun. 

Check out more information about the grants and their deadlines here. Rubber Bark™ supports the use of waste tires in all its many forms! 

CalRecycle Grant Applications DUE TOMORROW

Yes, that time of the year is almost here. And if you are in the middle of filling out an application, or suddenly have the urge to potentially receive thousands of dollars worth of Rubber Bark™ on the state's dime, than grab an energy drink and call Rubber Bark™ with your project idea, that is of course, assuming that you are a part of a public entity that is eligible for CalRecycle's tire-derived product grants.

Rubber Bark™ is here to help with the last minute snafus or calculations for rubber mulch and other products available.

To turn in your completed application online go to CalRecycle's Grants Management System Web page and directions will be available.

ONE WEEK left for CalRecycle grant applications

Even more exciting than college applications, the CalRecycle tire-derived product grants applications are in its last week before the September 28 due date. If you have not already read on this blog or the CalRecycle website, these grants are for public entities including school and park districts, Native American tribal grounds, public office buildings, community plazas, etc. CalRecycle awards grantees money to purchase products, such as our signature Rubber Bark™.

Rubber Bark™ is here as a resource, especially during this final week, to help those wishing to fill out an application and be a competitive candidate for the grants. We can help with the vision of the project and provide estimates for the amount and cost of the Rubber Bark™a project may have.

There is still time!  So tell those you know, or if you are a part of a public entity to start the application process as soon as possible. Best of luck, and if you have any questions, we will be around to help.

Two Weeks Until CalRecycle Grant Apps are DUE!

Yes, only TWO WEEKS left! Yikes!

We just emailed some superintendents of California school districts and some officials involved in California's parks and recreation districts, but we won't be happy until the WHOLE STATE knows about its opportunity to have its public entity project using tire-derived products (like Rubber Bark™!) paid for by CalRecycle. It's up to those entities though to fill out the application and have a solid project idea. But, hey, Rubber Bark™ is always here to help.

Please forward this to people you may know with public entities where this could help. Can you think of a school, a playground, a community plaza, a public office, that could use some Rubber Bark™? Sure, we all can, so let them know that opportunities are out there for them!

CalRecycle TDP Grant Applications Due in 20 Days

That's right, the clock is ticking! Remember that Rubber Bark™ is here to help with the application process for CalRecycle's tire-derived product grants and wants to be a part of the project for new and/or improved public parks, playgrounds, public office landscaping, Native American tribal areas that qualify and other public entity projects that could use some good rubber mulch.

We will help with cost calculations, provide our expertise about our Rubber Bark™, its durability, its safety for playgrounds, and its environmentally-friendliness while supporting those who are applying with the knowledge we have achieved over the years by helping others who have been awarded their grants.

We know what works and what doesn't, just ask!

Reminder: CalRecycle Tire-Derived Product Grant Applications NOW Open

Yes, for sure this time, the CalRecycle Tire-Derived Product grant applications are now open for all those Rubber Bark™ enthusiasts. This is a friendly reminder to hop to it school districts, park districts, city offices, and Native American tribes, as well as all those other public entities that are eligible to apply for a grant.

And do we have to mention the FREE SUPER SACK again? If you are an interested party (say, an active community member with ties to your school board, park district, or what have you) and you want to see a project funded in your community, you have the opportunity, with Rubber Bark's guidance, to get some free Rubber Bark™ of your own. More details, from one of are previous posts, are provided, but don't hesitate to call us up with any questions!

Rubber Bark™ and CalRecycle News Release in the Merced Sun-Star

Rubber Bark™  released a news notice last week in conjunction with opening of the applications for CalRecycle's tire-derived product grants. Below is a snippet: 


"To promote the use of products made from California's millions of waste tires, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is offering grants through its Tire-Derived Product program for public entity projects." 


Check it out! 

Sacramento Bee Picks up Merced Sun-Star Rubber Bark™ Story

Here is the originial article from the Merced Sun-Star about Rubber Bark™ that was published last week. And here is the story in the Sacramento Bee, a little shortened. We are really excited that the press is shining a light on our business as a success story during these hard economic times.

Also: A reminder! CalRecycle opened its applications for tire-derived products grants last week, and now is the time to get going to the application process, with Rubber Bark's help. And also, as stated in a previous post, we are offering a FREE SUPER SACK to any of those individuals who seek out Rubber Bark's guidance during the application process.  The applications close on September 30th.

Tire-Derived Product Grant Applications NOW open

The day is finally here! Like Christmas we got up early because we were so excited about the TDP grant applications that are now open for public entities.

Check out CalRecycle for eligibility requirements and the general know-how of the application.

But also make sure in entrust Rubber Bark™ to help you out with the application process which includes estimations. And to sweeten the deal this time around not only are public entities (the grants proposals that are accepted) going to be swimming in Rubber Bark™ paid for by CalRecycle,  a person referring public entities to Rubber Bark™ will also get a SUPER SACK of Rubber Bark™ simply by seeking out the guidance of the wise Rubber Bark™ scholars of grant funding.

Some guidelines for getting a free SUPER SACK from Rubber Bark™ include: Make sure the person that contacts Rubber Bark™ has the "ok" from a decision maker of the public entity that is trying to get funding, such as a school district's board.

Concurrently, it's best to help encourage those on the board to pass resolutions to obtain Rubber Bark™'s services or applying by speaking to board members directly and one-on-one. Also, it would be smart to go to the meeting when the resolution is voted on.

Once Rubber Bark™ is notified that a grant package by the public entity has been submitted to CalRecycle we will send over a free SUPER SACK to the PERSON that helped the public entity get their application in shipshape and turned in on time with Rubber Bark™'s help.

The public entity will be pleased that it accomplished the application for positive change within the community and the person can feel great for letting the public entity know about the opportunity, while gently nudging it along the application process.

Applications are open until September 30th.

A collaborative project takes many components and Rubber Bark™ thinks it is a lot like Christmas - the more the merrier.

So, go forth public entities AND those who love them, on the epic journey of CalRecycle TDP grant funding. Just remember to seek wise counsel.

Applications for grant funding from CalRecycle open TOMORROW

One of our favorite days of the year is almost upon us, it's the day CalRecycle's grant funding applications for tire-derived products are open. Starting tomorrow, those who are interested in applying can finally start!

 As you buzzers surely already know, Rubber Bark™ is here to help with the process of filling out the application and estimating how much public entities such as cities, school districts, park districts, etc.,  need for their projects.

More information on CalRecycle's eligibility requirements can be found here.

The applications will be open until September 30th, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get a head-start on making your rubber mulch dreams come true!

Also, tomorrow when the applications open we will be announcing our PROMO to go along with those public entities that seek out Rubber Bark's wisdom with the application process. So check back on the buzz because there will be more on that tomorrow!

Newman plaza gets makeover with Rubber Bark™

Recently, the city of Newman acquired a grant from CalRecycle to use Rubber Bark™ in order to replace the town's inferior wood mulch to our shredded tire bark. Volunteers and community members helped spread the mulch on a community plaza but the redwood colored bark will also be used for playgrounds throughout Newman. 

Newman workers filling a plaza with Rubber Bark™.
Source: Westside Connect

Newman Public Works Superintendent Doug Mutoza said, in a Westside Connect article, a Gustine-based online news site, that much of the 1,000 tires Newman disposes of a year end up at Rubber Bark™'s facilities to be transformed into projects, such as the 42,000 pounds of mulch used for the downtown plaza. 

From the news piece:

“It doesn’t deteriorate like wood bark, and it doesn’t compact like the wood bark, which we have to go out and fluff up every few months,” Mutoza explained. “The sponginess of this material is a lot better than the wood. Twelve inches of wood bark is required in the fall protection areas on playgrounds, while this only requires six inches."


The grant awarded the city $122,000 for the project. 


Remember if you, or someone you know in local government or those that meet any of the criteria specified by CalRecycle, have a project in mind that could use some Rubber Bark™, contact our company, and we will help with the grant application process, which officially opens on August 17th. 

Rubber Bark™ at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino!

We at Rubber Bark™ just received word that Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino near Madera bought over ten loads of Rubber Bark™ from one of our many esteemed dealers. We are super excited about the purchase and just wanted all the buzzers to know!

So, go out to Chukchansi and play the slots or some Blackjack and admire their new landscaping. The bark should be all out by next week!



Also, remember that the CalRecycle grants are coming up soon. TWO WEEKS until applications are open.  If you have a project in mind, now is the chance to really start thinking about the proposal. And if you don't, you still have some time to come up with one!

The First of Many: Reminder about CalRecycle's Tire-Derived Product Grants

Next to Christmas, Back-to-School and the day your favorite team wins big (Go Giants!) the best day of the year for Rubber Bark™ is August 17th. Why you ask? Well, that's the day CalRecycle's Tire-Derived Product Grants are open for applicants! 

Do you have an amazing landscaping or playground project that just needs some good padding? (Both financial and mulch related) Well, Rubber Bark™ is here to help you along with the process.

The open application time starts August 17th and ends September 28th. According to CalRecycle, here are the projects and institutions that are eligible to apply:

"The TDP Grant Program provides grants for local jurisdictions (cities, counties, public school districts, public colleges and universities, park districts, special districts, public recreational districts, state agencies, and qualifying Indian tribes) to buy such tire-derived products as rubberized mulch, playgrounds, tracks, sidewalks, sport surfacing, traffic safety products." 

So, if you are a part of a public entity, or know someone that is, that could use some good Rubber Bark™ in their life (and c'mon, who couldn't?) let us know. We are here to help with the application, with understanding how much mulch you may need and with getting it to the project site once your application has been granted (which recipients will know January of next year!) 


For more info check out CalRecycle's site on the TDP grants, or Rubber Bark™ too, or call 209-634-8849 or leave a message in the comments and we will get back to you asap! 

Rubber Bark™ TDP Testimonial

Below is a testimonial about the wonders of Rubber Bark™ and the CalRecycle Tire-Derived Product Grants. If you haven't checked out the grants yet, they are a great opportunity to jump start your city/county/private playground/landscaping project. 

Hi,

As part of our industry wide outreach to architects who specialize in schools, we have also been presenting the TBAP story to the County meetings of school facility planners and managers.

Today we presented in Alameda County.

During the presentation Lowell Hoxie, Facilities Manager, Sunol Glen Unified School District, comes over to your  Rubber Bark™ display box, picked it up and proceeded to tell the group about how he had used a TDP grant to redo a playground using Rubber Bark from Ag Link, Inc. Both the product and the service were first class, according to Mr. Hoxie.

I can't tell you how great it feels to get that kind of endorsement from the audience, instant credibility for the product, for the industry, and for CalRecycle.

Thanks for representing the TBAP program in such a professional way.

Regards, 

Mike Tinney

Thanks Mr. Hoxie and Mr. Tinney! 

TDP is "first class" 

Scrap Tires, Recycling and the U.S. Mexico-Border

In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency outlined a plan to increase awareness and clean up the environmental hazards on the U.S.-Mexico border. One of the cornerstones of the plan was to reduce the piles of scrap tires that have accumulated on the Mexico side of the border and have created a hazardous environment for residents.

scrap tire cleanup by the U.S.-Mexico border
source: EPA

According to the Rubber Manufacturer's Association, "The US-Mexico Border 2012 Program signed in 2003 has an objective to cleanup three of the largest tire piles in the border region. However, recognizing the need to take further bi-national action to abate as well as, cleanup existing tire piles, the US-Mexico Bi-national Commission held November 2004, signed a letter stating their intent to draft a scrap tire management strategy to address the border region and all of Mexico. The focus of these efforts is 'to develop and cooperate on an environmentally sustainable, comprehensive scrap tire management strategy.'"

The RMA page also has a lot of useful links to additional resources about this important issue.

So, you may be asking, what does this have to do with Rubber Bark™? In 2009, Golden By-Products, an affiliate company, was one of the few companies, along with Bulldog Rubber and Recycling in Vista, CA to receive loans for buying equipment that aids in the breakdown of the scrap tires for recycling and reusing purposes. Rubber Bark™ has taken the scrap material and made the wonderful, colorful mulch seen in backyards, playgrounds and community centers across the state, and beyond! 

We believe, as a family-owned, environmentally-conscious company that being involved in projects, such as the Mexican border cleanup, is an important role we play as stewards of our environments, including those not within our borders. 

SoCal uses thousands of scrap tires for new road project

The cities of Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley have decided to be a part of the green effort and started using crumb rubber in its RAC (rubberized asphalt concrete).

Truck installing RAC for road project
source: EPA

Here is the link to the press release, detailing the project's cost and efforts.

Do you have a project that could use some crumb rubber? Let Rubber Bark™ know, and we can give you our expertise, quote potential prices, and inform you about future grants that can possibly subsidize your project!

Looking for a tire hauler in your area?

We just were perusing around the interwebs today and we came across a new (new to us at least!) feature on CalRecycle's website.

Under it's tire recycling tab, there is now a search option that goes to a nifty chart that you can fill out and find all the tire haulers near your home or work!

To find Rubber Bark™ you can search under Merced County or type in Golden By-Products Inc., our tire recycler affiliated with Rubber Bark™!

Happy searching!

Rubber Bark's article in Playground Magazine

Check out Rubber Bark's article about CalRecycle's grant funding, which got picked up by Playground Magazine! This particular release has gotten a lot of attention from various media outlets because of the funding that is available and Rubber Bark's role in the process.