Environmental Side of Tyre Repair

A huge conversation in the tyre and mining industry is how do you effectively recycle used or worn tyres?

Well as we are aware tyres contain damaging chemicals to the environmental if disposed of incorrectly. It wasn’t uncommon for these huge OTR tyres to be disposed of in the following.

. Buried deep underground where they would never decompose
. Placed in a land fill will thousands of other tyres
. Placed in landfills and with thousands of other tyres and burnt

All these practices are known to be massively damaging to the environment and unfortunately are still being a common practice in some parts of the globe. Burning tyres produce thick, black smoke that reduces the air quality significantly and poses a particular threat to people with breathing difficulties such as asthma.

But fortunately there are many other methods to re purpose tyres in this day of age which makes a huge impact on the planet and provide opportunities and employment for vast amounts of people.

Some great methods of re purposing are.

Gravel Substitute

Anywhere gravel is used, chances are that tire chips can be used instead. Applications include: sub-layers for roadways, aggregate for drainage ditches, and highway embankment backfill.

 Railways

Recycled rubber pads can be fitted under railway or tram tracks to reduce noise and vibration.

De-vulcanization 

Using mechanical, thermal, bacterial and ultrasound processes, the rubber recovered from recycled tyres can be broken down and moulded into new forms.

Such as

• Rubber hoses
• Shoe soles
• Toys
• Erasers
• Conveyor belts
• Shock absorbers
• Rubber-lined tanks
• Vibration dampers
• Insulation

One of the main benefits in repurposing is growing popularity of recycled material to reduce the consumption of limited natural resources and to lower the CO2 emissions.

According to a 2015 study conducted by John Dunham and Associates, and it’s estimated that 50% of UK truck and bus tyres have been retreated. The rubber recycling industry generates more than $1.6 billion annually in economic activity

Staff trained in tyre maintenance and repair are being given another skill. Multi-skilled operatives have added value.