Recycling tires is probably not a new concept for most people in this day and age. In fact, a good majority of people know the adverse effects of old tires on the environment. But what happens when a tire is recycled? What can be made from this rubber material? Keep reading to learn about some common uses for recycled tires.
Kyle Shirley
Kyle Shirley, Owner of Sol Vista Roofing.
Roofing Shingles
Did you know that certain roofing materials are partially built from recycled tires? Many “SBS modified” asphalt roofing shingles include a blend of rubber that is mostly recycled rubber from old tires.
These types of shingles are great for keeping tires out of landfills, and they also last longer than all-asphalt roofing materials.
Gravel Alternative
Old, recycled tires are commonly used in civil engineering to replace gravel. They are shredded down to the size of gravel and are used in a multitude of ways, like building retaining walls, landfill construction, embankments, and providing thermal insulation. It’s lightweight and easier to transport than gravel, plus the shreds are highly permeable and easy to compress.
Kyle MacDonald
Kyle MacDonald, Director of Operations, Force by Mojio
Cody Crawford
Cody Crawford, Co-Founder of Low Offset.
Electrical and Sound Insulation
Tire chips make an excellent electrical insulator. They have a high dielectric constant, meaning they can effectively block the flow of electricity. This makes them ideal for use in electrical transformers and other equipment where insulation is critical.
Tire chips can also be used as a sound insulator. They are often used in walls and ceilings to block noise from outside sources, such as traffic or construction. Tire chips can also be used to reduce noise from inside a building, such as from machinery or HVAC equipment.
Filters, Mulch, and Gravel Substitute
Used tires are cut into tire chips which are then shredded. The shredded pieces can be used in different ways.
One great use for them is as filters in wastewater treatment. Tire particles are more porous than organic compounds and can filter better than other types of filters.
Rubber mulch is another innovative way of using recycled tires. Unlike other types of mulch, it can retain its appearance even after a few years. With their weight, they don’t float away even during light flooding. Plus, they also don’t rot and won’t attract wood-boring pests.
Cheaper than gravel, tire chips can greatly save equipment costs, time, and even labor. They can be used as aggregate for drainage ditches, highway embankment backfill, and sublayer for roads. Tire chips can limit frost penetration and are lighter than gravel.
Arnold Chapman
Arnold Chapman, Founder, and CEO of ELDFocus.com.
Christina Russo
Christina Russo is the Creative Director of the Kitchen Community.
Recycled Coasters
An item that I use every single day in my kitchen and on the coffee table in my living room is a coaster. I always use recycled coasters, as they stick to the countertop or table they’re on and absorb all of the heat from coffee mugs so that it doesn’t damage the surface underneath the coaster.
They’re inexpensive and effective. And while they might not help to prevent global warming by themselves, using them at least makes me feel like I’m playing a small part in the fight against climate change.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors’ statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.