I prefer an organic mulch. The plastic thing never worked the way they claimed. Well seasoned wheat straw and shredded leaves have always worked best. Worms love it, too.

I'd take the catalog advice "not recommended for hot areas" to heart. I think it's not worth the risk of fried earthworms and baked plant roots. There are so many benefits of organic mulch, it's work worth doing (albeit my least favorite garden task).

On of the problems is that dirt and dust blow into it and gradually there is enough "soil" for weed and grass seeds to germinate. It won't decay like leaves, pine straw and other organic mulches so what are you going to do then??? Dig it all out or add more to the top?

Red plastic mulch is usually used in field production of produce. It is said to stimulate the growth of tomatoes. I think you place this over a watering system and it reduces the transpirancy of water to air. I have never heard it used in any other setting.
Black plastic mulch is used around other plants.

GGG