Gone are the days of discarding tyres once they have served their purpose for your vehicle. Besides being a waste of valuable resources, incorrect tyre disposal is also harmful to the environment. Instead of abandoning old and worn ones, the best solution is to use recycled tyres properly.
But how exactly can recycled tyres be used?
Substitute for gravel
Instead of using gravel, it’s possible to use tyre chips instead. Uses include applications across roadways sub-layers, highway embankment backfill, and aggregate for drainage ditches.
Tyre chips are almost three times lighter than gravel, and they can also reduce frost penetration in cold climates when they are used under roads. Because of all this, utilising this recycling approach often means a significant saving in equipment costs, labour, and energy involved.
To minimise vibration and noise, railway tracks have tyre chips underneath.
Crumb rubber is the finely ground material is made from tyres, where the cords and steel are removed from the structuring. Any remaining rubber gets turned into a powdery and grainy substance, for use across applications like playground flooring or vehicle mudguards. You may also see it in rubberised asphalt and doormats which is exactly what tyre rubber crumbs are.
Landfill liners and covers
Shredded tyres are used in a variety of methods, as well, typically within thermal insulation between primary and secondary landfill liners. The chips effectively reduce temperatures in the areas – a much-needed landscaping consideration within these designs.
Filters for wastewater treatment
An advantage of using tyre chips is that they can be shredded into any size required. Which is perfect for filters for wastewater treatment, or as filters for septic system draining fields, and constructed wetlands.
Additionally, they provide a better filter than organic compounds, such as rocks and other materials.
In a more innovative approach, recycled tyres act as great support for gardens. This not only maintains its appearance over time but will also prevent any from floating away bad weather and winds.
Recycled tyres also won’t rot, unlike wood mulch, and won’t attract any termites or other unwanted pests.
Also known as TDF, tyre-derived fuel are wheels that have been shredded. They are often used as a supplement for traditional fires. Because some fires burn out of control on recycled materials like this, TDF has the benefit of being able to burn efficiently in a controlled environment.
This refers to shredded scrap tyres used for civil engineering projects or public works. Uses for TDA include projects such as slope stabilisation, retaining wall backfill, road repair, and lightweight embankment fill.
Opt for a greener approach
After many people install new tyres on their cars, their old ones tend to end up piled up in their backyard or garage. Doing so only leads to collecting dust, insects, rodents, mosquitos and water.
By correctly recycling your old tyres, you’re opting for a method that allows innovation to utilise these materials better. And the environment and community will thank you for it, too.