Tire Recycling: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Tires are a difficult material to decompose, which is why they are increasingly being targeted for recycling. This article explores the detailed process of tire recycling, its various applications, and how you can contribute to a more sustainable environment.

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Tire recycling is increasingly viable in Brazil. Do your part and dispose of it correctly

The Tire Recycling Process

Tire recycling is a complex process that involves several steps to transform used tires into new products. The process begins with the separation of tire components, which include rubber, metals, and fabrics. First, the tires are cut into small chips and purified through a screening system. The chips are then ground and subjected to steam treatment and chemicals such as alkalis and mineral oils to devulcanize the rubber.

After devulcanization, the material is refined in mills until it forms a uniform blanket or extruded to obtain rubber granules. This recycled material can be used in a variety of products, from coverings for leisure areas and sports courts to car mats and shoe soles.

Applications of Recycled Rubber

Recycled rubber has a wide range of applications, making it a valuable and versatile resource:

  • Road Pavements: Dust generated by retreading and ground tire waste can be mixed with asphalt. This mixture increases the elasticity and durability of roads, contributing to a more resistant and safer surface.
  • Furnace Fuel: Recycled tires are an excellent source of fuel for the production of cement, lime, paper and pulp. With a calorific value of between 12,000 and 16,000 BTUs per kilogram, they offer an effective alternative to coal. However, it is important to note that burning tires can emit greenhouse gases, which requires measures to mitigate these impacts.
  • Industrial Flooring and Carpets: After devulcanization, recycled rubber is turned into a paste that can be used to make industrial flooring, shoe soles, car mats, and even bathroom rugs. This material is also used in sealing rubber and other useful items.
  • Playground Equipment: Recycled tires are used in playground equipment, such as obstacles and swings. Recycled rubber can be placed under playground equipment or mixed with wood to create a surface that helps cushion falls and reduce the risk of accidents.
  • Sports: Recycled tires are used in sporting events, such as horse racing, where they help to limit the territory that can be covered. In addition, they are applied in several other sports areas due to their durability and flexibility.
  • Retreading and New Tires: One of the most common uses of recycled rubber is in tire retreading, a process widely adopted in Brazil. Approximately 70% of the freight and passenger transportation fleet is made up of retreaded tires. In addition, recycled tires can be reused in the manufacture of new tires.
  • Road Signs and Car Bumpers: Recycled tires are used to make road signs and car bumpers. This not only reduces maintenance costs but also solves the problem of storing old tires.

Environmental Impact of Tire Recycling

Tire recycling plays a crucial role in preserving the environment. By recycling, we reduce the volume of waste in landfills and minimize pollution generated by tire decomposition. In addition, by reusing tires for different applications, we are saving natural resources and energy, contributing to sustainability.

Economic Benefits of Tire Recycling

In addition to the environmental benefits, tire recycling offers significant economic advantages. Turning used tires into new products creates jobs and generates added value. The tire recycling industry also helps reduce the costs associated with waste management and the production of new materials. Investing in tire recycling can therefore be a profitable and sustainable choice.

How to Contribute to Tire Recycling

You can do your part to promote tire recycling by following some simple practices:

  • Correct Disposal: Make sure you dispose of used tires properly by taking them to authorized recycling centers. This ensures that they are treated properly and do not end up in landfills.
  • Education and Awareness: Help educate others about the importance of tire recycling and the options available for proper disposal. The more people who are informed, the greater the positive impact you will have.
  • Support for Local Initiatives: Support local tire recycling initiatives and businesses. Participating in community programs and recycling campaigns can make a big difference.

Tire recycling is an effective solution to address the rubber waste challenge and contribute to a cleaner environment. With the right process and smart application of recycled rubber, we can turn an environmental problem into a valuable opportunity. By supporting tire recycling and adopting sustainable practices, you are helping to create a greener, healthier future for everyone.

Check out other interesting facts about recycling clicking here.
Learn how to make art by recycling, Click here.

 

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38 Comments

  1. I work with recycling, I want to sell old tires and I don't know who to sell them to
    If you can send it to me, I'll be waiting.

      • Good afternoon!
        I also work with tires and am looking for people to buy discarded/scrap tires and inner tubes.
        My contact is Tatiana 3933-2713
        Thanks!

        • Good morning! How are you? I hope so!

          Contact Priscila from UTEP, they can help you!

          (011) 97203-5542 (whatsapp)

          Good luck!

          Yours sincerely,
          Eduardo (011) 94734-5837 (Whatsapp)

    • Hello Marcelo, I would like to open a tire recycling company. Could you help me? There isn't one here in RS and there are a lot of tires in the environment. MY EMAIL IS [email protected] If you can help me I would be very grateful

      • Good morning Igor.

        Have you managed to open a tire recycling plant? I am also planning to open one in GO, so I would like to talk to you about this subject.

        Yours sincerely,
        Weric

    • Hello Marcelo. I am interested in the tires. We are an environmental company and we shred this waste. We also provide the material disposal report. I await your response for further clarification. Thank you.

      • Good morning!
        I know that the company works with recycling, maybe they can help me.
        I have noticed that in my city (São Fidélis, in the interior of the state of Rio) and other nearby cities, there are many tires that are not being disposed of. So I would like to know if there is a company that would buy these old tires (maybe a recycling company that could send them to) so that I could enter this market niche. I know it would not be very profitable, but it helps. If the company already has this type of collection and how I can help with this collection and tell me how to proceed, I would be grateful. Thank you very much for your attention and I await your response.

        Att

      • Hello Bruno.
        I provide services to companies that need to sell and even dispose of their unusable tires, whether in the cargo, agricultural, machinery or forestry sectors.
        I would like your contact so we can chat about the subject.

  6. Good evening, friends. I am a partner in an environmental company and we receive unusable tires at our company. If you have unusable tires, send them to us. We provide a report on the disposal of this material. Here is the contact number. (37) 9 9131-0357

    • Good morning, I have a collection point for old tires, around 80 tons per month, do you buy them?
      I'm in Sao Paulo,
      11- 4241-9652 9.6631-6711 (Whatsapp)

      Grateful,
      Wanda

    • Wanda good afternoon! In which city are you located? Are these bus tires good tires and casings? Are they stopgap tires or are they scrap tires? Value per unit. Thank you. I'm waiting. F 987652139

  11. Hello everybody!
    I'm looking for companies that buy old tires in the southeast region, so that shipping wouldn't be so far away and expensive; I know it's a niche market, I don't know if it's very profitable, but it helps. If one of you can help me find such companies, I'd appreciate it.

    • Hello Wallace. We are an environmental company and we dispose of unusable tires. Unfortunately, we are unable to purchase them due to the high cost of destroying this waste. Can you dispose of them for us? We provide a certificate of proper disposal to companies that require it. If you would like to discuss this, please call me at (37)99131-0357 or email me at: [email protected] Kind regards: Bruno Vidal Melgaço

  15. Good afternoon,
    I need to dispose of around 2,000 tires. Is there a correct place or destination?

    I'm from Vila Velha – Espírito Santo

    • Hello Patricia. We are an environmental company that disposes of unusable tires. We are interested in receiving these tires that you need to dispose of. If you have any questions, please contact us. Kind regards. Bruno Vidal. 3799131-0357 or [email protected]

  18. Good afternoon everyone, I have unusable tires and would like to know if anyone has a contact so I can sell them, I also have casings for retreading.
    Thanks

  19. Multiple messages and people wanting to “sell” used tires. This does NOT exist, it is Utopia. We should think about reverse logistics and at least return this sucked sleeve to the manufacturer. LET'S WAKE UP BRAZIL!!!

  20. Good morning, I would like to set up a small industry and learn more about recycling tire by-products. I am interested in using them in concrete and asphalt.

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