Rubberecycle

Rubberecycle, founded in 1996 and located in Lakewood Township, New Jersey in the United States, provides mulch products for private, public, government and commercial users across the United States.
Overview
Founded in 1996 by Morris Hassan and Robert Gestetner, Rubberecycle, LLC manufactures and markets rubber surfacing products. Headquartered in Lakewood, New Jersey, the company utilizes tire recycling to produce rubber mulch for playground, landscaping, equestrian, and military uses. The company distributes its products under the Playsafer, Landscape, and Surefoot brand names.
Credentials
Rubberecycle is a member of IPEMA, and is listed on the Global Recycling Network. The company meets ARRA standards, and is eligible to provide state and local governments with disaster recovery systems.
News
According to Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., Rubberecycle possessed the tire contract for Ocean County, NJ since 1996, and has been a part of Ocean County’s solid waste management plan since March 1997.
County officials tested the first installation of Playsafer by performing the egg test—dropping an egg from a 14-foot-high piece of play equipment, and watching it bounce on the surfacing below. The feat attracted the attention of local TV reporters, and was later repeated on CNN.
White House Playground

In 2009 the company installed Playsafer rubber mulch on the White House’s first playground. After Barbara Tulipane and Rich Dolesh of The NRPA contacted the White House to emphasize playground safety, staff representatives of the Obama administration contacted Rubberecycle. The company installed the playgrounds surfacing, complete with rubber curbs and wear mats, and was granted a visit to the White House with the President.
The White House playground installation invited comment from those opposed to the use of recycled tires for playground surfacing. Nancy Alderman of Environment and Human Health, Inc., expressed concern regarding children playing on ground-up rubber tires. Nevertheless, the EPA does recommend the usage of rubber mulch on playgrounds.
Responding on behalf of First Lady Michelle Obama, Camille Johnston defended the installation as recommended by the EPA and NRPA. Mike Blumenthal, vice president of Rubber Manufacturers Association, pointed to studies completed in both Europe and the United States, indicating that the tires are completely safe.
Recycling efforts
Following the 2009 Cash for Clunkers Program, Rubberecycle recommended extending the environmental benefits of the program by recycling the tires into rubber mulch. The company cautioned that the tires may no longer be safe for vehicle use, and should be prevented from ending up in landfills.

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