Rubber Mulch Cost UK 2026: How Much Do Rubber Chippings Cost?
Rubber mulch — also called rubber chippings — costs from around £200 for a 100kg bag of coloured 20mm mulch up to £1,274.99 for a 5-tonne bulk bag of plain recycled 10–20mm, with every price delivered to mainland UK and VAT included. We stock two grades: a premium 20mm coloured rubber mulch in seven shades — the eco product most suppliers don't offer — and a plain recycled 10–20mm mulch for budget and bulk. This guide breaks down what each costs in 2026, what drives the price, and how to work out the cost for your own area.
How Much Does Rubber Mulch Cost in the UK?
All our rubber mulch is supplied in bulk bags, delivered to mainland UK with VAT included — there is no separate delivery charge added at checkout. The prices below were current in 2026; rubber is a recycled commodity, so they can move over time — check the product pages for the live price.
Coloured 20mm Rubber Mulch — Prices
Our coloured 20mm rubber mulch is a premium, colour-coated recycled product in seven shades — black, rustic red, summer blue, slate grey, moss green, woodland brown and camo. It holds its colour for years and is the grade most UK suppliers don't stock.
| Bag size | Price (delivered, inc VAT) | Effective price per tonne |
|---|---|---|
| 100kg | £200 | ~£2,000 |
| 300kg | £295 | ~£983 |
| 500kg | £345 | ~£690 |
| 1 tonne (1,000kg) | £625 | £625 |
| 2 tonnes | £1,200 | £600 |
Plain Recycled Rubber Mulch (10–20mm) — Budget Prices
Our plain recycled 10–20mm rubber mulch is the most cost-effective grade, and comes in larger bulk bags up to a 5-tonne single drop — ideal for playground fall zones, muddy gateways and large landscaping jobs where colour isn't the priority.
| Bag size | Price (delivered, inc VAT) | Effective price per tonne |
|---|---|---|
| 300kg | £199.99 | ~£667 |
| 500kg | £244.99 | ~£490 |
| 1 tonne (1,000kg) | £324.99 | £325 |
| 2 tonnes | £594.99 | £297 |
| 3 tonnes | £849.99 | £283 |
| 5 tonnes | £1,274.99 | £255 |
How Our Delivered Prices Compare (2026)
We checked published prices from several other UK rubber mulch retailers in July 2026 and normalised them to a like-for-like £ per tonne delivered — each retailer's headline price plus its own delivery cost to a central-England postcode. Because our prices already include delivery and VAT, this is a genuine like-for-like comparison rather than a headline-price-only one.
| 1-tonne bag, delivered | Typical UK retail (£/tonne delivered) | Rackerman (£/tonne delivered) |
|---|---|---|
| Plain / natural recycled mulch | around £500+ per tonne (smaller 500kg bags reach £1,000+/tonne) | £325 |
| Coloured / coated mulch | around £500–£880 per tonne | £625 |
Sampled from several UK rubber-mulch retailers, July 2026, each normalised to £/tonne delivered (headline price + that retailer's own delivery). Prices move over time, and small sub-tonne bags cost significantly more per tonne once delivery is added — always compare like-for-like bag sizes and check whether delivery is included.
On a delivered, like-for-like basis our plain 1-tonne mulch at £325 per tonne undercuts the retail field, and our coloured 20mm at £625 per tonne sits mid-range for premium coated mulch — with delivery and VAT already included in both.
Coloured vs Plain — Which Should You Choose?
The coloured 20mm grade costs roughly double the plain — a 1-tonne bag is £625 against £324.99 — because it is a premium, colour-coated product. Choose coloured where appearance matters: front gardens, decorative beds, and branded or zoned play areas. Choose plain 10–20mm where it is about function and budget: playground fall zones, muddy gateways, pathways, and equestrian gateways and ménage surfacing (the plain grade is supplied for equestrian use at the same price).
Why Bulk Bags Are Cheaper Per Tonne
Rubber mulch gets noticeably cheaper per tonne as the bag size goes up. The plain grade works out at about £325 per tonne for a single tonne, falling to roughly £255 per tonne on a 5-tonne drop — around 20% less for the same material. Small bags cost the most per kilo, because the pallet, handling and delivery are spread over less material. If you have space for a larger drop and a big enough project, ordering the biggest bag you need in one go is almost always the cheapest way to buy.
Delivery Is Included in the Price
Many suppliers advertise a low bag price and then add a delivery charge at checkout. Our rubber mulch prices are fully delivered — every bag ships on a pallet to mainland UK addresses with the delivery cost already built in, and VAT included. The price you see is the price you pay to your door.
What Affects the Cost of Rubber Mulch?
- Grade and colour — plain recycled 10–20mm is the cheapest; premium coloured 20mm costs around twice as much.
- Bag size — a major lever on price. Bigger bags mean a lower cost per tonne.
- Area and depth — how much you need depends on the size of the area and the depth you lay it. A garden border at a shallow depth needs far less material than a deep playground fall zone. Use the calculator below to size your order.
- Quality — our mulch is made from 100% recycled UK tyres, cleaned and screened wire-free. Cheaper, unscreened material can contain wire fragments or dust, so a low headline price is not always the best value.
How Much Rubber Mulch Do I Need — and What Will It Cost?
Your total cost depends on your area and the depth you are laying, so rather than guess, use our free rubber mulch coverage calculator. Enter your area and required depth and it tells you the bag size to order — which you can then price straight from the tables above.
Rubber Mulch vs Bark — the Real Cost Over Time
Rubber mulch costs more upfront than bark chippings, but it works out cheaper over time. Bark rots down and needs replacing every one to two years; rubber mulch holds its shape and colour for 10 years or more with no topping up. Over a decade, a single rubber mulch installation replaces five or more bark top-ups — so the higher first cost is usually recovered several times over. See our full rubber chippings vs bark comparison for the detail.
Equestrian and Other Uses
The plain recycled grade is also used for equestrian gateways, ménage and arena surfacing, and muddy paddocks — supplied at the same price as the plain playground grade. See rubber chippings for horses for depths and coverage in equestrian use, and our guide on whether rubber chippings are good for muddy gardens.
Buy Rubber Mulch — Delivered Across the UK
All our rubber mulch bulk bags are delivered to mainland UK with VAT and delivery included. Choose the premium coloured 20mm mulch in seven shades, or the budget plain recycled 10–20mm grade in bags up to 5 tonnes. Made from 100% recycled UK tyres.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does rubber mulch cost in the UK?
Coloured 20mm rubber mulch costs from £200 for a 100kg bag up to £1,200 for a 2-tonne bag, delivered inc VAT. Plain recycled 10–20mm mulch is cheaper — from £199.99 for a 300kg bag up to £1,274.99 for a 5-tonne drop. A 1-tonne bag is £625 coloured or £324.99 plain.
How much is rubber mulch per tonne?
The plain 10–20mm grade is about £325 per tonne for a single tonne, dropping to roughly £255 per tonne on a 5-tonne order. The premium coloured 20mm grade is £625 per tonne. On a delivered, like-for-like basis that undercuts most UK retailers, whose 1-tonne plain bags typically run around £500 per tonne delivered.
Is delivery included in the price?
Yes. Every bag is delivered on a pallet to mainland UK addresses with the delivery cost already included in the price, along with VAT. There is no separate delivery charge added at checkout.
How much does coloured rubber mulch cost?
Coloured 20mm rubber mulch costs from £200 for 100kg to £1,200 for 2 tonnes — a 1-tonne bag is £625. It costs roughly double the plain recycled grade because it is a premium colour-coated product, and comes in seven shades.
Is rubber mulch cheaper than bark?
Rubber mulch costs more to buy than bark, but works out cheaper over time. Bark needs replacing every one to two years, whereas rubber mulch lasts 10 years or more, so it replaces multiple bark top-ups over its life.
How much rubber mulch do I need?
It depends on your area and the depth you are laying. Use our free rubber mulch coverage calculator to work out the exact bag size for your project, then price it from the tables above.