Millions of rubber tyres are thrown away every year, so disposing of them is a serious issue for the environment. Tyres used to be thrown into land fills and garbage areas, but for the past 20 years most tyres are recycled. Tyres that are discarded are sent to a processing facility where they are used in making many things. One of the most popular is to use old tyres to make playground bedding. The tyres are ground up into tiny pieces, cleaned, and then used instead of pine bark or mulch at playgrounds. The rubber tyres provide a soft landing area for children.