Technology can be a marvelous thing and when it involves recycling, it's doubly marvelous. A new product is now available to homeowner associations called Groundscape. This product is made entirely from recycled tires and mimics wood bark chips. It comes in various colors and lasts for years. Here's a Q&A that explains the benefits:

Question: Will it deteriorate or decompose?

A: No. Because it's manufactured from 100 percent recycled tire rubber, the expected life of the product is 50 years.

Question: How safe is it?

A: The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that shredded tire rubber chips have consistently outperformed all other surface materials in impact absorption and surface attenuation.

Question: Does the color fade?

A: Because of proprietary color technology, the color will not fade any more than the color on your car and is warranted for ten years against a complete color loss.

Question: Is it dirty?

A: No. It is color processed which seals the rubber. There is no grind residue and it won't oxidize (chalk) because the colors are UV stable.

Question: Will it stain?

A: No. Unlike organic materials, it will not stain clothes or cement.

Question: What about mold or fungus?

A: It does not promote or sustain any mold or fungus growth.

Question: If it happens to find it's way into the washer and dryer won't it stain or melt onto the clothes?

A: No. The color won't wash off and therefore will not stain clothes. Rubber begins to degrade at an excess of 500EF; clothes dryers only reach approximately 100EF.

Question: How is it installed?

A: It will be delivered in bulk just like bark mulch or wood chips. Remove all existing material and bring site to grade. Install a landscape fabric as a weed barrier. Then dump and level the material with a rake at required depth.

Question: How much maintenance will it require?

A: Very little. An occasional raking to level and to remove debris is recommended. Because of its density, a blower can used to remove additional debris.

Question: Does it smell?

A: No. There is a minimal odor at time of installation, but it fades quickly.

Question: Is it flammable?

A: No, under the Federal Hazardous Substance Act, it is considered a non-flammable product.

Question: Will it blow or wash away?

A: No. It will not float because the density of the product is much greater than wood chips or mulch. Because of the density and the migration (interlocking) properties of rubber, it remains in place when it is windy or raining.

Question: Does it attract animals?

A: No. The texture of the product has proven to be disliked by animals and rodents. Therefore, animals will not nest, root or defecate in the product.

Question: Does it freeze?

A: No. It does not absorb water and therefore will not freeze. In addition, the density of the product insulates the soil keeping the soil 10E cooler in the summer and 10E warmer in the winter.

Question: Will it harm my plants and flowers?

A: No. As matter of fact, it is more beneficial to your plants and flowers because it is inert (does not react). It will not absorb nutrients, fertilizers or water designated for your gardening projects. It assists your plants by keeping them moist and warm/cool and repels fungus, molds and insects.

This is a great landscape product to consider for your homeowner association. Save a tree and use a tire. For more, go to groundscapelandscape.com .

For more on HOA landscaping issues, see Regenesis.net .