Andre and Cristo are right on the money, listen to their sage advice.
It is always better to use organic materials for mulch, part of the process of mulching is for that mulch to decompose and add nourishment to the soil beneath it.
Plastics are not good for anything that wants to grow, there are very nasty components to all plastics; cyanide, ether, carcinogens are just a few. Do you really want to grow something you will eat in or around stuff like that?
Some of the best soil on the planet is the result of many layers of plant litter decomposing and leaching into the dirt beneath the litter.
Permaculture is the imitation of Mother Nature's methods of soil improvement, adding man made materials is counter productive at best.
As Andre mentioned, Hay, Straw, Leaves, Manures, grass clippings, crop refuse, all are great components for mulching.
Wood chips are also good and they last longer. I like them for the top layer of mulches, they also hold everything in place while it rots.
As Cristo mentions, the main purposes of mulch are to 1. retain
water from evaporation. 2. enrich the soil beneath the mulch. 3. provide nourishment for the microbiology of the soil and the worms that come to feed on all that goodness you have put on their dinner table.
The only place that plastics or rubber is actually a good thing (to my mind) is on a play ground, where it can last forever and provide some cushioning when children fall from the swings or slides or climbing bars. For plants these materials are poison, the only thing they do that is good for plants is retain moisture. That moisture most likely is being contaminated by the compounds that leach out.
If you really need something other than the above mentioned best bets for mulch, use fabrics like cotton or wool, these are natural fibers which will break down over a year or two.
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