• Black playground rubber chippings installed in garden play area
  • Playground rubber chippings bulk bags ready for delivery
  • Black rubber chippings installed across large outdoor play area
  • Playground rubber chippings laid across prepared outdoor surface
  • Garden play area with black rubber chippings and climbing frame
  • Black rubber chippings installed beside artificial grass
  • Playroom and outdoor play area using rubber chipping surface
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Playground Rubber Chippings – Rubber Mulch & Rubber Bark Bulk Bags

Playground Rubber Chippings – Rubber Mulch & Rubber Bark Bulk Bags

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£199.99 GBP
£199.99 GBP
(£166.66 ex VAT) Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Delivery in 5-10 working days
Estimated: Fri 19 Jun – Fri 26 Jun
Free UK mainland delivery Pallet delivery — mainland UK
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Coverage Calculator
How much rubber chippings do you need?
What are you covering?
Playground installations need a depth matched to the equipment's Critical Fall Height. Scroll down to our BS EN 1177 depth chart to find the correct depth, then enter it as a custom depth below.
Your area
Depth
↑ Enter your area dimensions above

Our playground rubber chippings — also known as rubber mulch — are a durable, low-maintenance and impact-absorbing surfacing solution for play areas, playgrounds, gardens, schools, nurseries and commercial landscaping across the UK. Made from recycled rubber, these 10–20mm rubber chippings are a longer-lasting alternative to bark mulch that won't rot, break down or need constant topping up.

Rubber Chippings and Rubber Mulch Explained

Rubber chippings and rubber mulch are the same recycled rubber surfacing — the terms are used interchangeably across the UK. Both describe shredded recycled rubber used as a soft, free-draining ground cover for play areas, gardens and pathways. Unlike loose gravel or soil, a rubber mulch surface stays cleaner underfoot, drains freely and holds up year-round in high-use areas.

Why Choose Rubber Chippings or Rubber Mulch as a Surface?

  • Recycled and sustainable — Made from 100% recycled UK tyres, shredded into 10–20mm chippings. Around 120 tyres go into every tonne — landfill diverted, green credentials earned.
  • Soft and impact-absorbing — Tested under BS EN 1177:2018+A1:2023 for Critical Fall Heights up to 3m. Schools, nurseries and play operators specify rubber chippings where bark can't deliver certified protection.
  • Low-maintenance and long-lasting — Holds shape and colour for 10+ years where bark decomposes within 1–2. No annual topping-up, no raking, no replacement budget — install once, walk away.
  • Free-draining year-round — Water drains straight through to the soil beneath. Mud-free and puddle-free through every UK winter, no special drainage prep needed.
  • Pest-resistant — Doesn't attract slugs, mice, rats or wood-boring insects the way damp bark does. No mould or fungal growth either.
  • Versatile — Playgrounds, school grounds, garden borders, equestrian arenas, ornamental beds and pathways. Decorative or high-traffic, indoor or outdoor — one bag, multiple use cases.

 

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10+ Year Lifespan

Won't rot, fade or break down

Low Maintenance

No annual top-ups or raking

Free-Draining

No mud, no waterlogging

Free UK Delivery

5–10 working day pallet delivery

Playground safety depth calculator

Pick your equipment or set a custom fall height — we'll show the minimum mulch depth required to meet BS EN 1177.

Custom fall height 1.5m
Ground level
Required depth
150mm
Loose-fill minimum
Coverage per 1000kg
~16.7m²
At 150mm depth
Meets BS EN 1177 at 1.5m fall height with 150mm loose-fill depth

Industry-standard guidance for SBR loose-fill rubber mulch under BS EN 1177. For commercial playgrounds, schools and nurseries, verify against documented Critical Fall Height and conduct a site-specific risk assessment.

Real UK installations

Playgrounds, gardens and pathways across the country

Rubber chippings in UK primary school playground
Close-up of black rubber chippings 10-20mm in hand
Rubber chippings under playground slide in UK park
Rubber chippings used as garden border landscape edging UK
Rubber chippings in UK domestic back garden play area
Rubber chippings under garden trampoline UK installation
Aerial view of rubber chippings playground installation UK
Rubber chippings in UK primary school playground
Close-up of black rubber chippings 10-20mm in hand
Rubber chippings under playground slide in UK park
Rubber chippings used as garden border landscape edging UK
Rubber chippings in UK domestic back garden play area
Rubber chippings under garden trampoline UK installation
Aerial view of rubber chippings playground installation UK

Want to feel the texture before committing to a bulk bag?

Rubber Chippings vs Bark vs Real Grass

Each surface has its place — but for play areas with high foot traffic and year-round use, the differences add up fast. Here's how they compare:

Feature Recommended
Rubber Chippings		 Bark Mulch Real Grass
Lifespan✓10+ years✗1–2 years−Permanent with care
Impact cushioning✓High−Medium✗Low
Free-draining✓Yes−Partial✗Waterlogs
No annual top-ups✓Yes✗Top up yearly✗Reseeding
Mud-free in wet weather✓Yes✗No✗No
Doesn't rot or decompose✓Yes✗Rots over time−Partial
Pest-resistant✓Yes✗Attracts insects−Partial
Pet-friendly✓Yes✗Some types toxic−Patchy & muddy
Low maintenance✓Yes✗Topping & raking✗Mowing & watering
← swipe to compare →

Want the full breakdown? Read our in-depth comparison: rubber chippings vs bark for play areas.

Try before you buy

Not sure yet? Order a £1 sample

Feel the texture, check the colour and see the depth before committing to a bulk bag. Posted to your door in 2–4 working days — no minimum order.

Straight to secure checkout · 2–4 working day UK delivery · No minimum order

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are rubber chippings made from?
Recycled rubber tyre, granulated into 4-20mm chips. Free from harmful chemicals and tested for playground safety use.

How deep should rubber chippings be for a playground?
Depth depends on the Critical Fall Height (CFH) of the equipment. Typical depths are 100mm for low-level equipment and 200mm+ for climbing frames and slides. Check the equipment manufacturer's specifications.

How much area does one bulk bag cover?
One bulk bag covers approximately 8-10 square metres at 50mm depth, or 4-5 square metres at 100mm depth. Contact us with your area and depth for an accurate quantity calculation.

Do rubber chippings drain well?
Yes. Rubber chippings are free-draining — water passes straight through, preventing puddles and standing water. This is a key advantage over wood bark which retains moisture.

What is the delivery time for rubber chippings?
5-10 working days to mainland UK. Rubber chippings are heavy items delivered on a pallet

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

Here at Rackerman, we take customer satisfaction very seriously. If you are unsatisfied with the quality of your product, please email us info@rackerman.co.uk or give us a call: 01665 497513 and we will make it right.

DELIVERY

Playground chippings are delivered via a pallet line courier and take 5-10 working days. Please allow up to 15 working days in the summer months!

If you haven't received your items in this time frame, please contact us.

RETURNS

If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, that's completely fine! We offer a 30 day money back guarantee to all customers, no questions asked! Please contact us to arrange a return.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY & BS EN 1177


Rubber chippings provide a softer surface than gravel, soil or hard landscaping and can help cushion impact in general play areas. Important: beneath swings, slides, climbing frames or any equipment where a child could fall from height, surfacing must be assessed against the required Critical Fall Height and, where applicable, meet BS EN 1177. For muddy patches, pathways, flat play spaces and decorative landscaping, rubber chippings are an effective, durable surface in their own right.

Read more here.

COLOUR OPTIONS


Supplied as standard in black. For green, red, brown and other shades, see our coloured playground rubber chippings range.

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE


For best results, lay rubber chippings over a prepared, level base with a suitable weed membrane underneath. Spread evenly to the required depth — typically 30–50mm for landscaping, with greater depth where fall protection is needed. Maintain by occasional raking and clearing leaves or debris with a garden blower.

BULK AND TRADE ORDERS


Need a larger quantity for a school, nursery, park, landscaping or commercial project? Contact us for a custom bulk quote or call 01665 497513.

Rubber Mulch for Play Areas, Playgrounds and Gardens


These 10–20mm rubber chippings suit garden play areas, school and nursery playgrounds, recreational spaces, pathways and general landscaping. As a play area rubber mulch they create a softer, cleaner surface around swings, climbing frames and trampolines; in the garden they cover muddy patches, borders and walkways without the rot and mess of bark.Common uses include playground rubber mulch surfacing, garden ground cover, under-trampoline areas, swing and climbing-frame surrounds, muddy lawn repair, pathways and decorative landscaping. Actual suitability depends on the intended use, installation method and required depth.