Recycling tyres saves money and the environment
Historically one of the more problem areas of the UK recycling industry was the inability to recycle both car and truck tyres because of the potentially toxic fumes which can have a massive impact on the environment and humans. One alternative to recycling these chemically enhanced vulcanised rubber tyres is to “retread” your old tyres. However, there are legal limits as to the number of times you can retread a car tyre (once) and a wagon tyre (three times).
Even though the process of retreading a tyre cost a fraction of a new tyre we have seen a massive influx of cheap overseas tyres both in the car and truck markets which have placed pressure on the number of people retreading their tyres. In some cases it can be just as easy, although a little more expensive, to acquire a brand-new cheap imported tyre although this very much ignores the benefits of retreading to the environment.
At this moment in time 50% of truck tyres in the UK are retreaded although every single aeroplane tyre is currently retreaded in this country, but there are other options!
A number of landfill sites around the UK have introduced what is known as a “chipping” program whereby old tyres are literally cut into rubber chips which can then be used in a variety of ways. Some of the more common uses include underlay for carpets, cushioning for children’s playgrounds and surfaces for five aside football pitches. The humble rubber tyre seems to have more use than just gripping the road!
Written in association with recycling experts.