Countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, and India cultivate rubber by way of the rubber tree. It has many uses, chief amongst them rubber latex for many products.
Ancient Mayans actually used an earlier version of rubber latex to form a ball for sporting events. These days, many household materials rely on this main ingredient for housekeeping. It can be found in rubber rain boots, gloves for dishwashing and laundry, rubber bands, pencil erasers, mats, and other rubber goods. As well, the automobile industry uses a lot of this harvested rubber tree product to protect car windows and doors, and to manufacture hoses, tubes, and belts for the engine.
Rubber has also gone on to become part of the textile industry, though it is largely an unconventional “fabric” for garments and furniture upholstery. While many might instantly think of the fetish subculture when they hear the words “rubber” and “clothes” in one sentence, spandex, a synthetic offshoot of rubber, has become a mainstream clothing component. Many gym and athletic clothes, including swimsuits, now use spandex…and even clothes meant to be worn regularly use it, as well.
Rubber is also apparent in toys. Balls, trampolines, blocks, toy car tires and parts, dolls, floating devices, and even balloons rely on rubber trees to be created. Rubber is relatively cheap to produce but it is hard to break, making it an ideal component for toys. These days, parents and guardians are concerned about reports on the allergic reaction of their kids over plastic toys. Playthings made of natural rubber can replace these, because they carry no harmful toxins, last long, and are even sustainably harvested so they help the economy.













