Children go to school to be educated, and it is there that they should be learning about the importance of going green and the effect global warming and greenhouse gases have on the environment. There is no better way to teach than by way of example, and as such, schools have a responsibility to go green in a way that children will see and emulate their superiors.

The Paxon Hollow Middle School is leading the way with teaching by example. This year they held a project focusing on an environmental garden and outdoor classroom. Teachers and staff built a walkway using rubber mulch from 263 recycled tires, and planted 28 shrubs in one of Paxon Hollow’s inner courtyards. The new garden was decorated with ceramic pavers made by the art students and other eco-friendly paraphernalia. With this project, the school earned itself a beautiful new garden for learning, and an opportunity to teach children about the importance of going green and using rubber mulch.

Rubber mulch has a place in many different areas of a school. Gardens and walkways are beautified with rubber mulch flooring, and there is no safer playground flooring than rubber mulch. Gyms can also greatly benefit from rubber floormats, and recycled rubber equipment can be used for labs, art, and other classes. Eco-friendly rubber mulch has many varied uses in a school.

While the effects of pollution and overcrowded landfills must be taught by schools parents also have a duty to educate their children by example. When used in backyard playgrounds and home gardens, rubber mulch adds beauty and a sense of satisfaction in making the world a better place. Children are also kept safer when playing among recycled materials and nature’s gifts of flowers and greenery.

There is no better way to teach children about the importance of recycling than by practicing what we preach.

Tis the season for Arbor Day and Earth Day and various communities and gardens are doing their best to bring awareness to the plight of trees worldwide. Longwood Gardens is no exception, with extensive Arbor Day celebrations planned for Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28.

Longwood Gardens is located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and boasts 1,077 acres and twenty outdoor gardens. Breathtaking in beauty and carefully cultivated horticulture, the gardens are vast and expansive, with fountains and landscaping skill providing beauty at every turn. As with many professional gardens, rubber mulch is used in a variety of ways, for both aesthetic appeal and landscaping purposes. Longwood Gardens is gearing up for Arbor Day with a variety of events planned.

The first four hundred guests at the Arbor Day Celebration will receive a voucher for a free tree seedling. The activities will allow guests to meet the arborists, learn about local birds and how Longwood’s natural and forested areas provide excellent bird habitat, children are invited to “Gear Up” and experience what it is like to be an Arborist, and guests can take a Champion Tree Tour and marvel at some of the biggest trees in Pennsylvania.

The activities include:

ARBORIST EQUIPMENT DISPLAY
Our arborists will show and demonstrate some of the unique equipment they use to care for our trees. See their climbing gear, chipper, and a stump grinder.

TALK TO AN ARBORIST
Get answers to your tree questions and learn the best practices for caring for your trees at home. Ever wonder what makes a tree a Champion tree? Come find out.

TREES ARE COOL
Did you know trees keep us all cool? Discover more about trees and how they benefit us and our environment. Learn about trees and see samples of different types of wood and bark.

KIDS CLIMB
Young tree climbers can join Longwood’s arborists and climb into Longwood’s trees. For safety purposes, trying on the arborists’ climbing gear is only available for children ages 6 to 12 years old.

TREES ARE HOME SWEET HOME FOR BIRDS!
Come learn all about how you can help birds and how you can look for birds near their favorite tree habitats.

BIRD OF A FEATHER KIDS ACTIVITY STATION
Join us for some fun interactive activities for kids to learn all about our remarkable friends the birds.

CHAMPION TREE TOURS
Go on a walking tour with our expert guides as they visit some of the tallest and oldest trees in Pennsylvania.

KITE FLYING
Bring your kite and fly it over our green Cow Lot.

Natural disasters are always tragic. Sometimes they prove to be fatal, killing anything in their paths, while at other times they leave swaths of destruction in their wake, ruining people financially. Yesterday’s tornadoes in Kentucky were no exception to the devastation. Miraculously, no fatalities have been reported. Damages, however, have been estimated to be in the billions. It’s so sad to watch a lifelong dream, whether it’s a house or a business, go up in flames, shattered beyond repair. The victims need our prayers for it is so tough to start life all over midway through. If there is one silver lining it may be that the destruction these tragedies bring upon us can bring some clarity and focus to the damage this planet faces if companies continue with their pollution and destructive factories. It hurts to put both problems in one sentence. However, people must know about the severity of pollution and natural disaster for they are one and the same.

A light at the end of the tunnel is the work of companies that are trying to save our planet with eco-friendly practices. Rubberecycle goes a step further: they help people make their lifestyles more eco-friendly with recycled rubber mulch.

Tires, the biggest consumers of rubber, are increasingly being recycled rather than buried or burned. Rubber mulch has proven to be an excellent way tires can be reused in an environmentally friendly way. Although rubber represents just a tiny problem in the smoggy world of heavy industry, companies and nations alike should follow this commendable example and come up with creative uses for their used products.

Rubber mulch is used for many important purposes every day. For years children coming home from the playground would inevitably be wearing dirty clothes stained with grass and med from where they landed when coming off the slide. Rubber mulch has revolutionized the playground with clean recycled mulch serving as the landing area of playgrounds nationwide. This is both safer and cheaper in the long run.

Rubber mulch is also used in horse arenas to prevent dust from being kicked up when the horses run. Mulch in arenas also protects the horses’ hooves, with an added shock absorbency that adds a bounce to their step and prevents injuries.

Another excellent function of rubber mulch is for landscaping. When used for gardening, rubber mulch helps those who are going green make the process even more environmentally responsible.

Rubber mulch is undoubtedly one excellent step forwardi n saving the environment, but many more must be taken in the coming years.

The days when a playground consisted of a tire hung on a tree and a grassy lawn are pretty much over. Today’s playgrounds are ever bigger and better, with playground equipment that is designed to exercise kids’ mental and physical boundaries and the latest in high tech materials. Enter the Imagination Playground.

Designed by David Rockwell, Imagination Playground takes the concept of free play and creativity to a whole new level. The playground equipment is made up of big blue foam blocks of all shapes and sizes. Using oversized cogs, wheels, spools and tubes, children create whimsical sculptures, construct castles and forts, and design vibrant vehicles that move. Joining curvy blocks with grooves, they form elaborate ramps and tracks and send balls rolling through. They stack, connect, design, configure and play – the possibilities are endless!  Imagination Playground is good for both indoor and outdoor playgrounds, but children will most enjoy themselves on rubber mulch flooring so they can bounce around safely.

Imagination Playground Blocks are made of a cross-linked Polyethylene foam manufactured in the United States. The closed-cell foam is soft, lightweight, waterproof, and biodegradable. It is resistant to sun, heat, mold, mildew, corrosion and micro-organisms. These highly-durable blocks can be transported to a landfill or returned to the manufacturer to be recycled when they are no longer wanted on the playground, making them eco-friendly, as is rubber mulch for playgrounds, the premium playground flooring. In fact, Imagination Playground was featured in UL’s Safe and Healthy Environment pavilion at the Earth Day Eco Village on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. during Earth Week. The UL pavilion featured interactive kiosks on family safety and provided useful information on maintaining healthy environments and the importance of safe play.

Imagination Playground materials can be purchased in a box or case for private use, or parents can take children to visit Imagination Playgrounds. The flagship playground is at South Street Seaport in Manhattan and a new playground is set to open at the Providence Children’s Museum during the April Spring Break. There are Imagination Playgrounds all across the country, and internationally, as well. With new technology and rubber mulch playground flooring, the possibilities for children’s’ play are endless.

It has recently come to the attention of officials in Lakewood, NJ that there is an entire community of homeless people living on state land. The dwellers, numbering approximately seventy people, live in tents, camping style, and their camp has been come to be known as ‘Tent City.

The controversial ’Tent City was ‘founded’ in 2005 by homeless people squatting on vacant land. The camp is illegal, as the residents have no permits to reside on the state-owned land, and as the years have passed the camp has grown. Officials fear that with the coming of spring and warm weather the camp will continue to expand. There have also already been two lives lost in the camp to fires and unsafe conditions, a reality that officials fear will multiply, as the camp has no safety regulations or restrictions.

After countless eviction notices, this week Lakewood Township took action by closing off two of the entrances to the camp with huge piles of mulch left by the Department of Public Works. They hope that the restriction on vehicles and supplies entering and leaving the camp will force the dwellers to move.

Aside for safety of the dwellers, Township officials maintain that ‘Tent City’ is a hazard to the environment. The inhabitants are cutting down trees to make way for more tents with no regard as to how the trees are cut, or how many. They are also causing pollution, and chasing away animals, destroying forest ecosystems that took years to build. By blocking the entrances with mulch, officials were making a statement, saying that they are looking after numerous objectives: the safety of the inhabitants, the law of the city, and the preservation of the environment.

Rubber mulch is a new and improved version of wood mulch, and it is extremely environmentally friendly. Made from recycled tires, the mulch helps with playground safety, and is useful in many settings, such as playgrounds, landscaping, horse arenas, and more. Supporters of the environment are turning to rubber mulch as an eco-friendly alternative.

As the officials of Lakewood Township work to evict the squatters on their land, they must walk a thin line: obtaining their objective while preserving whatever life is left in what used to be a vibrant forest.

With the economy in the dumps many students, despite the high cost, are staying in college with the hope that a degree will give them better job opportunities and security. Countless studies have shown that people entering the workforce armed with degrees get jobs faster, and with a higher salary. For students starting college, it is an immense burden to try and figure out what career they want to pursue. One great option is physical therapy.

The job market for PT’s is currently very hot with a serious need in all areas. It provides a healthy starting income in the sixty thousand dollar range, with six figure potential. When in practice, physical therapy even helps the therapist stay in shape since there is a lot of exercise involved. A big chunk of the job is done in exercise/workout rooms. These rooms are usually padded with rubber mats to ensure safety and a more productive work environment. New physical therapists who are just starting out may not know to ask for it, but when looking at a prospective job, it is important to ensure that the necessary equipment is available, including rubber flooring. Rubber floors provide cushioning from falls, and provide extra traction for patients, enabling them to progress at a faster rate.

Whenever one makes a career decision, all angles must be considered in order to make the right choice. Deciding upon a career can be life changing, and ensuring that it will be an enjoyable and productive experience is essential. Other than workaholics, most dread the Monday morning sunrise; an enjoyable work environment can help one achieve greater happiness in every aspect of one’s life. The most important factor is work safety. An oil rig engineer’s salary starts at six figures due to the sizeable risk encountered on a daily basis, and these jobs are plentiful because people want, rightfully so, safe jobs.

Not only is physical therapy safe, it can actually enhance one’s active life, enabling a fit and healthy lifestyle. It’s very important that rubber flooring should be used in all exercise rooms. Rubber is safer, more comfortable, and cheaper in the long run. One must always remember to factor in safety when making a major decision, such as career choice.

Dieting. For many this word brings pictures of hunger and having to starve for hours to achieve goals. As the friend of a compulsive overeater who won the battle of her life three years ago by losing ninety pounds, I can tell you with confidence that there is a better way. There are countless diets and programs out there designed to help you lose weight but there’s only one method that will help you lose weight while doing good for your body, and that is by working out and doing exercise. Besides for keeping you in shape and feeling great about yourself, working out also keeps your body healthy. The best way to work out is in the comfort of your own home. Having a workout room situated in your home is cheaper than you think. The biggest cost cutter is rubber flooring. This is a safer and more comfortable choice than concrete or carpet.

Working out at home gives you the convenience of doing exercise whenever you have time, not only when the gym is open. This opens up many possibilities, such as an early morning workout session followed by a refreshing shower. Morning workouts can greatly affect your day. Besides for waking you up and taking the place of a caffeine fix, it also gives you an extra adrenaline rush for the rest of your day. Many refrain from working out at home, believing that expensive machines must be purchased in order to workout correctly. This notion is patently false, as proven by many studies showing that working out without machines by doing pushups, sit-ups, and working with small equipment and weights is a lot more beneficial than spending an hour on a treadmill. Having rubber flooring and rubber wearmats is essential when doing body exercises in your home. The rubber flooring absorbs hard impact and cushions your body as you work on getting yourself in shape.

As every overeater will tell you, dieting is a monumental climb. To a compulsive overeater, going without the bar of chocolate that is so tempting is paramount to a non-dieter going without water while working out. It is with this knowledge that I have reached the conclusion that the best way to diet is by doing exercise at home, so there can be no excuses not to work out. Although experts advocate eating healthy, dieting by doing safe exercise on rubber flooring is the best way to lose weight.

February 9 saw the closing of the International Year of Forests 2011, organized by the United Nations. The event celebrated forests for people and featured stories from around the world, summing up the contributions of the international community to a healthier, more sustainable future. The program featured presentations of the five Forest Heroes Awards, screenings of forest films, speakers from international organizations, youth participation by the winners of the 2011 Universal Postal Union letter contest, and the announcement of the 2011 children’s art contest winners. The event also featured the launch of the commemorative Forests for People book with 75 articles from 35 countries.

2011 was named the International Year of Forests by the UN in an effort to raise awareness and strengthen the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations. Governments, regional and international organizations and civil society organizations were expected to create national committees and designate focal points in their respective countries to facilitate organization of activities in support of the International Year of Forests.

The “Celebrate Forests. Celebrate Life.” campaign was the official U.S. celebration. Coordinated by the NASF in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. celebration aimed to elevate awareness and understanding of the value of America’s forests and showcase the connections between healthy forests, people, ecosystems and economies. American citizens were encouraged to organize events nationwide to celebrate America’s trees and forests. From nature walks and trees plantings to hearings on Capitol Hill, families, coworkers and friends were celebrating America’s trees and forests throughout 2011.

The action precipitated by the Year of Forests was closely watched by the Arbor Day Foundation, as well as many other eco-conservationist organizations. They have all been working hard to condemn deforestation, and conserve trees. They are hoping that the International Year of Forests will help shed light on this important cause.

Rubberecycle has worked hard to save trees as well as promote recycling, and they have applauded this move by the UN. Rubberecycle products are made entirely from recycled rubber, and recycling works in tandem with conserving trees.

As with any industry, a big part of the business is networking between companies and learning about the latest industry technology and innovation. Nowhere is this as prevalent as it is in green products. With constant progress being made in production techniques and inventions, it is vital to keep a finger on the pulse of things. Rubberecycle is at the forefront of industry progress, with revolutionary Playsafer mulch and rubber mulch for landscaping and horse arenas.

Trade shows are a great place for green companies from all corners of the U.S. to meet and exchange ideas. The New England Grows show is a major trade show that Rubberecycle is now attending. It is kicking off today, and will run between Feb.1 and Feb. 3. The show is based on horticulture products and services. With over 13,000 horticulture professionals and more than 1,100 exhibitors, it generates lots of buzz.

Aside for wholesale and retail exhibitors, the show hosts horticulture seminars that cover a range of relevant topics. Some of the major exhibitors at the New England Grows show include John Deer, Bobcat, TechoBloc, and others.

Rubber mulch and its prime manufacturer, Rubberecycle, is always the topic of much discussion at the show, because of its excellent use in landscaping and its extreme eco-friendliness. Tire mulch is used for landscaping around plants, in permanent walkways, and rubber curbs are used to divide flower beds and for landscaping aesthetics. Many landscapers also prefer rubber mulch because it comes in many colors that don’t fade.

As it becomes more popular, more landscapers are learning to employ rubber mulch’s many uses in their work, and Rubberecycle’s representatives are very sought after at the show.

Rubberecycle is looking forward to a productive New England Grows trade show, where they will learn about new techniques and ways to go green, and hopefully incorporate them into Rubberecycle products, making them better than ever. Rubberecycle’s constant improvement of their product is just one more reason why consumers return time and again.

Many parents agree that raising children in an eco-conscious environment keeps them healthy and teaches them to live responsibly. Having a playground with rubber mulch flooring is just one more way to show children how important it is to live safely and responsibly. Actions speak louder than words; there are many ways to incorporate green and healthy living into daily routines that will infuse children with the importance of this concept.

Recycle

It sounds so simple, but many people don’t do it. In order to teach children to recycle it is important to have a separate trash can for recyclable objects, with different colored bags or some other obvious differentiation. One of the milestones that are part of growing up is learning to throw garbage into the trash can. In the same vein, children can be taught to differentiate between regular garbage and recyclable objects, and place them in the right can. Children should also be taught to throw out less and try to reuse more. Using recycled rubber mulch in playgrounds is a great way to show them that parents practice what they preach.

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper

Using wrapping paper that gets torn and thrown away is a great way to practice in conspicuous consumption. There are many other options that are inexpensive and practical. Reusable shopping bags, like the ChicoBag is one alternative, as well as a new product by Cascades, of Canada. The new wrapping paper is 100% recycled and comes in a variety of colors and designs. One of its best features is that the paper is not rolled around a cardboard tube in the center, making it entirely eco-friendly. Due to the absence of the tube the roll looks smaller, but it provides the same amount of paper as a regular roll. The wrapping paper sells for $12 for three rolls, a fair price.

Eco-Friendly Toys

The eco-friendly toy industry is an entire entity, with many companies vying for parents’ attention, but it’s often hard to distinguish between toys that sound eco-conscious and the ones that really are. Plan Toys is one of the few companies that are trustworthy. The toys are made in Thailand, out of kiln-dried rubberwood. They may not be as fancy as the generic toy brands, but they aren’t plastic, and they offer the same educational value.

Outdoor Play

It is a good idea to get eco-friendly toys for the kids, but an even better method is to let them play outside. Rather than sitting with computers and video games, the healthiest way for kids to play is by enjoying the outdoors and mulch-floored playgrounds in a truly natural and healthy fashion.