We all look for ways to find the most valuable deals when we need new tires. But few of us wonder what to do with them AFTER they have served their purpose. All tires have a certain expiry date, of course. And the time comes when you will have to part with them once and for all. The question is what will you do with them?
Many drivers sell them on the second-hand market once they start to show signs of wear. But what happens when the tires are no longer for sale? What options do you have when they exceed the recommended term of use and become irreparable?
Unfortunately, many car owners see only one solution: they throw the used tires somewhere in a landfill without thinking about the consequences. And the negative consequences on the environment are huge.
The good side of things is that the world is gradually becoming more aware. And this means that the reuse of tires is increasingly common among car lovers. Each of us can contribute to improving the environment by properly disposing of tires and recycling them. And you don't have to be a car owner to make your contribution. It is important to have an interest in protecting the environment and to take action.
Tire Recycling: What Is It?
You will find many sources that refer to "tire recycling" as "rubber recycling". You can use any term you like. The idea is that both refer to the process of re-using rubber from vehicles that can no longer fulfill their basic function for some reason. According to statistical data, tires that are no longer good present one of the biggest challenges in the field of recycling.
But, thanks to certain recycling systems, the tires find their purpose in something else, being re-processed to serve other purposes. So, when we talk about tire recycling, we are actually referring to a process of converting tires that no longer serve into other materials that can still serve.
Tire Recycling: Why Is It Necessary?
Possibly, you'll ask now what is the purpose of such a convoluted process. But if you think about the general amount of tires that go out of use, it is not difficult to deduce that the landfills where they are thrown become gigantic. Tires do not degrade. And with recycling processes, these waste tire fields will get bigger and bigger. In addition to the number of used tires, there is also the aspect of environmental pollution. Rubber presents a massive threat to the environment. And what is the meaning of not being concerned about it, if it is the environment in which we all live?
So, recycling is also a method of protection that we take against the pollution of the environment, which is already very fragile. Besides, how could we deal with the 250 million tires thrown away annually, if we didn't recycle them?
So, yes, recycling makes sense from all points of view. Add to this that rubber is actually a necessary material for other industries and we only have a win-win situation.
Tire Recycling Process
I hope that the arguments in favor of tire recycling have motivated you enough to take action. The question is how do you do it right? In fact, the whole process is not exactly simple and many lose their motivation because of the effort required in the process. However, you can do it all only if you really want it. And if you really want to become useful to the environment, you can find out right now what the tire recycling process is. I hope you find the process fun and maybe you too align with the common goals.
Step No.1: Tire Collection
Of course, the first step is the collection of used tires; it cannot be done otherwise. Various non-governmental organizations, as well as certain businesses, collect non-functional tires to subject them to a further recycling process.
As far as I know, it doesn't really matter the size or wear of the tires. Once they are processed, they turn into a homogeneous mass of rubber which then takes the shape of other objects.
Step No. 2: Rubber Processing
Step 2 depends a lot on the final result to be obtained after tire recycling. Some industries need shredded rubber. For this purpose, recyclers will use mechanical tools. Other industries need tiny rubber chips. For this purpose, recyclers use cryogenic techniques. These techniques involve the use of liquid nitrogen that cools the tires to low temperatures, after which they crumble them into tiny particles with the help of special tools.
In the same context, some industries need steel components from tires (like steel wires). Accordingly, the recyclers will use special magnets or other tools to separate the tire from the steel components. Thus, depending on the final purpose, the tire turns into a raw material for other products.
Step No. 3: Cleaning and Using Processed Rubber
After the recyclers use the methods mentioned above, all they have to do is thoroughly clean the materials obtained after processing. They use different chemical agents to remove impurities from the obtained materials. Then, the material is packed and sent to the factories that need it. Without realizing it, many goods that surround us are the result of recycled tires. The industries that produce rubber shoes or playground turfs are among the many that use recycled rubber as raw material.
I recommend that you look around you and identify at least 5 rubber objects. Think that they could be processed specifically from your used tires. Respectively, you would bring a significant contribution to the environment as well as to the industries that need rubber raw material. Find out about used tire collection centers in your area. We can change the world by taking action.
Proper Tire Disposal
Another important aspect that should concern us all is proper tire disposal. By finding out about disposal possibilities, you give the tires a new life in which they can serve other purposes. In general, tire recycling is the best thing you can do after they are no longer functional. Many tire dealers are ready to accept them for recycling, so I encourage you to contact them directly. If recycling is not a solution, then proper disposal is.
Being a fair citizen regarding your civil responsibilities, you will be pleased to know that there are many disposal and recycling companies ready to help you dispose of your tires correctly and efficiently. If this idea cannot be realized for several reasons, then think about giving the tires a second chance. How can you do it? Here you have some recommendations.
Playgrounds, Zoos, or Sports Parks
The environment around you certainly needs a used tire. You just have to find the right place and purpose for it. Instead of throwing the tire in a landfill, it would better serve in the recreation areas near you. With the right arrangement, they can serve as stairs for children in parks. Athletes can use them for different physical activities in their training process. Animals have plenty of fun fooling around tire holes in zoos.
So, they can be more useful than you imagine. And there is no need to reinvent the wheel. It is enough just to donate your tires to the people responsible for these areas.
DIY Purposes
If you do a little Pinterest research, you will be amazed to see how many ways you can use a tire. Plant holders, table bases, tire swings, sandboxes, couches, or outdoor bars: all of them are possible with tires. You only need to have a small garden or a small yard behind the house and you can turn it into a real corner of heaven with the help of your creativity and ... your tires.
Take Them to the Local Recycling Center
It is very welcome to find out if the area where you live has a recycling center. Most likely it has. These centers usually collaborate with different industries that need rubber as a raw material. Consequently, these centers deliver them to the factories that need them. In the end, your tires end up being useful for fuel, asphalt, and railroad ties. You can't even imagine how valuable tires are for these centers that are the link between you as a donor and the final industries.
The Advantages of Tire Proper Disposal and Recycling
You have already understood that your tires can bring a more important contribution via recycling than by throwing them in a landfill. However, this is not the only benefit. Let's see what other advantages are likely with tire disposal and recycling.
Landfills Are No Longer Over-Filled With Worn Tires
Tires are usually bulky and voluminous. And when they are thrown into landfills, they take up a lot of space. Due to the recycling and correct disposal of tires, landfills become cleaner and the total volume of tires significantly diminishes.
Taking into account the fact that the tires are not biodegradable, they are an eminent danger for living creatures that feed on these landfills. In the same context, the large volume of discarded tires ends up blocking the water drainage channels, as well as polluting them. The more we recycle, the more we minimize these negative effects.
Reduces Disease Spread
Many people do not even realize the impact that landfills with used tires have on the spread of various diseases. Tires store the water that becomes infected. Different rodents, mosquitoes, and other animals use this water, after which they come into contact with the surfaces we touch. Thus, it is very likely that we get infected by various diseases, without even knowing the exact cause.
These risks are also valid for those who are used to keeping the tires at home. For this reason, the best idea is to find an optimal recycling or disposal method.
Prevents Air Pollution Through Fire
Many industries indeed use rubber as fuel. However, they process it using special techniques, as a result of which its burning is not so dangerous. However, if we talk about the burning of the tires in the condition they are in, they are very harmful to the air.
Throughout history, there have been many cases where tire storage areas caught fire for some reason. And the consequences were drastic after the air pollution. Once we decide to recycle or dispose of the tires judiciously, we significantly reduce the risk of an atmospheric catastrophe.
Goods From Recycled Tires
Many times I have mentioned that tires can serve many purposes, without us even realizing it. If we look carefully around, we discover many things that actually contain recycled tires.
One of the industries that use them to a large extent is the construction industry. it uses tires as backfill for walls, or in sound barrier systems, for example. Other industries that use tires as raw materials are those that produce movable speed bumps, carpet padding, or railroad crossing blocks.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, tires that have already served their primary purpose can be both harmful and very useful to the environment. It depends on us, as responsible people, if they will have a beneficial or negative role. The recycling and disposal process is not as complex as it might seem. What is really complex are the consequences that are yet to come if we do nothing and continue to throw them somewhere on the side of the road.
We think that when we decide to buy a car including tires, we commit ourselves to certain responsibilities. One of them is the disposal of car components as befits a responsible citizen. So let's all be responsible and set a good example for the next generations.
We believe that the life of a tire does not end when its expiry date comes. On the contrary, it becomes ready for other purposes. We must take care that these purposes are as beneficial as possible for the environment in which we live. So, recycle and dispose of your tires wisely!
Tire Recycling: FAQs
How Can We Recycle Tires?
There are many options to recycle tires and these options continue to expand. At the moment, the most popular tire recycling technologies include cryogenic tire grinding and shredding. These processes allow the reuse of the material for other purposes and in other industries. In addition, plenty of DIY options are available for tire recycling.
Why Is It Difficult to Recycle Tires?
The problem of used tires is quite difficult to solve. There are 2 major reasons for this issue. The first is the lack of massive awareness of the problem at the global level. Unfortunately, too little is discussed about the impact of non-recycled used tires. As such, many people continue to throw away tires without understanding the seriousness of the problem. The second challenge consists of the tire recycling process itself. They have a rather complex construction including fibers, rubber, and steel, among others. The separation of materials for further re-use is quite complex and few industries have the specialized machines to do this easily and quickly.
Why Should We Recycle Tires?
Tire recycling has a beneficial effect on the environment. First of all, landfills would become much cleaner and would not serve as a favorable environment for parasites and pathogens. Secondly, air pollution would be reduced. Many companies tend to burn used tires instead of recycling them. Rubber emits far too dangerous gases into the atmosphere. Thirdly, the industrial cycle would improve. Many companies would receive more raw materials for their products.
How Many Tires Are Wasted?
Unfortunately, the calculations are not at all optimistic. According to the official data of Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction, American drivers throw away around 280 million tires every year. The number is an estimate while the reality may hide higher figures. According to the data, every person in the U.S. has one tire thrown away every year.
Are Recycled Tires Used For Fuel?
Some tires are indeed used for fuel, only that the process does not refer to recycling by concept but rather to reuse. It is specifically about scrap tires that can no longer serve their initial purpose due to their worn or damaged condition. These tires provide high heating value. Even if their reuse process is not exactly recycling, this process is still valuable because it solves to some extent the problem of tires thrown on landfills.
How Waste Tires Affect the Environment?
When the tires end up on landfills, they will remain there for centuries because their material does not decompose. Tires gradually degrade, releasing various chemicals into the atmosphere. These end up being absorbed into the soil or discharged into the waters and throughout the ecosystem. This endangers the health of flora and fauna. The tire material tends to eliminate methane gas in the atmosphere with sun exposure, which is not at all beneficial, including for human health. Last but not least, they become a favorable environment for pathogens found in landfills, which can contribute to the spread of various diseases.
How Can Tires Be Sustainable?
In order for a tire to be sustainable, tire manufacturers must find alternative eco-friendly materials. A sustainable tire means a tire that contains as many recyclable materials as possible from renewable sources. This allows the tires to be easily reused for other purposes. Tire manufacturers put effort into identifying sustainable alternatives. However, the process is long-lasting and requires many investments that not all tire brands have. Tire giants such as Bridgestone, Pirelli, Hankook, and Michelin are actively looking for solutions in this regard, seeing already first promising results.
Why Trust Us?
The NeoTires team is passionate about tires and all the science behind them. Our members have extensive experience in the field of tires. Our knowledge helps us offer quality services and products, useful tire advice and driving tips, as well as unbiased and objective tire reviews.
In addition, we have a deep passion for innovations in the tire industry. We are curious to learn about new technologies and tire trends. We like to spend time testing and comparing various tire models, after which we share all we learn about them with our customers. Neotires is more than an online platform where you can find nice tire deals. Here we learn, develop, and grow in this industry and we tend to improve the driving experience of each customer as much as possible. Drive safe and choose your tires wisely!
