Rubber crumb from recycled automotive or truck tires or other rubber products is used to produce a material which is water and gas permeable. This material may be used for erosion control structures in place of, or in addition to, standard rock socks, straw wattle, or other erosion control configurations. The rubber crumb material may be used to produce growing containers for plants and children's blocks or other children's toys. A method for combining rubber crumb with a binder to produce various configurations of erosion control structures, growing containers and children's toys is also disclosed.