Worldwide the demand for car and truck tires continues to rise. As these tires wear out, we must determine how we will dispose of the leftover rubber. Industries that are the biggest contributors to the problem need to lead the way in finding solutions. Continue reading to find out what our panel sees as potential solutions to keep rubber out of landfills.
Tony Grenier

Tony Grenier

Tony Grenier, CEO of Grenier Media.

Tire Manufacturing Innovation

The car and travel industries generate much of the waste tires in the world. To minimize [waste] tire output, tire companies should create tires with higher quality. They should also create tires that can be used for different seasons but are not very expensive, so customers don’t have to buy and change them every season. There is really not much that can be done by the customers and the car and travel industries unless the tire companies do something about this [issue].

Recycling in the Transportation Industry

Industries that are generating waste tires would mainly be automobile companies and the transportation industry (e.g., used motor vehicles, cars, taxis, etc.).

Automobile companies and members of the transportation industry can minimize the number of waste tires that they are generating by recycling them. At this point, there are no alternatives to rubber tires. We cannot drastically reduce the demand for them, and so, the best way to go about the waste tire problem would be to encourage companies to reclaim and recycle their waste tires. The waste tires could be recycled into a tire-derived aggregate (TDA), tire-derived fuel (TDF), rubber powder, and even rubber material for footwear.

May Flanagan

May Flanagan

May Flanagan is a digital marketer, fashion writer, and the founder of Global Green Family, a website that wants to make a difference and help everyone be more mindful of the impact we create as consumers on the planet.
Adam Atkins

Adam Atkins

Adam Atkins, Director Cheapa Waste Skips.

Extending the Useable Life of Every Tire

The retail automotive, construction, and aviation industries can be considered some of the industries generating the most tires as waste products.

Regular tire maintenance (checking pressure and wheel alignment) can help extend the life of tires, which may help reduce the number of tires being sent to landfills. Additionally, second-hand automobile tires may be sold in automotive retail outlets, which will reduce waste.

Finally, modern recycling techniques can help reduce waste output.

Changing How We Deal with Spent Tires

The racing industry generates waste tires. During some races, the tires are changed every 100 miles even if the type of racing doesn’t require frequent changes.

At high speeds, it’s especially critical that tires be in optimal condition, and any attempt to push the limits could result in death or serious injury. The racing industry would do well to commit resources to better and more efficient tire recycling programs.

Another industry that produces a lot of waste tires is the trucking industry. Trucks go through a high volume of tires because, first of all, they use 18 of them, and second, they put on a high number of miles.

Retreading tires for truck use are one way to drastically reduce the amount of rubber that is wasted. At a minimum, a tire should be able to be retreaded safely three times. Retreading is more cost-effective than purchasing low-grade tier four tires produced in countries without safety oversight.

Melanie Musson

Melanie Musson

Melanie Musson is an automotive expert with CarInsuranceComparison.com.

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