Retread tires are worn tires that have gone through a process where the old tread is replaced with new tread. You might also hear them called remolded or recap tires. This process extends the life of the original tire casing, letting it be used multiple times.
Retread tires are particularly popular in industries like trucking due to its cost-effectiveness. In fact, the trucking industry saves more than $3 billion each year just by retreading tires. This is especially significant given the cost of brand-new tires.
However, some people, including truckers, still think that retread tires are inferior and choose not to use them, so today, we’ll debunk common myths swirling around about retread tires and learn about how tire recycling prepares tires to be retreaded.
Myth #1: Retreaded tires are unsafe.
When they’re properly maintained, retread tires are considered just as safe as new tires. They meet the same safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation and perform comparably to new tires.
They’re used frequently and safely on many of vehicles, like school buses, ambulances, and long-haul trucks. With such widespread use, it’s clear that retread tires are reliable at highway speeds and in various weather conditions when cared for properly.
Fun fact: the majority of tire-related accidents are actually caused by other factors, such as pressure, baldness, or underinflation, rather than retreading.
Myth #2: All rubber debris on the road comes from retreads.
We bet you haven’t heard this one before: all those pieces of rubber debris on the road are sometimes referred to as road gators. Ferocious, right?
Road gators come from both new and retread tires. And all that rubber doesn’t land in the roadway because of the retread process but rather because of tire failure due to factors like underinflation, overloading, and poor tire maintenance.
Properly maintained tires—whether new or retreaded—are less likely to add to that dangerous rubber debris. No one wants to hit a piece that comes flying up and scratches their paint job. Take good care of your tires, and they’ll take care of you—and everyone else on the road.
Myth #3: Retreads are less fuel-efficient than new tires.
Advances in technology have made it possible for retread tires to match the fuel efficiency of new tires. Plus, new and improved tread design and materials keep rolling resistance low, keeping fuel efficiency higher.
The premium casings from which the retreads are made also add to their comparable performance to new tires. This solid foundation allows retreads to succeed in driving conditions similar to those of new tires, making them a viable alternative for all sorts of vehicles and companies.
Of course, actual fuel efficiency can vary based on the vehicle and the tire type. But in general, retreads offer customers a pretty cost-effective choice without sacrificing performance.
Myth #4: Retreads don’t look as good as new tires.
This is all up to you since visual appeal is subjective. Retread tires are made to look very similar to newer tires. With more recent advancements in tire recycling and manufacturing, an even wider range of pleasing-to-the-eye tread patterns and finishes is now available.
It’s true that the purpose of retread tires is to provide functionality and sustainability, but they can look nearly identical to new tires at the same time.
Myth #5: Retread tires are bad for the environment.
As the phrase goes, waste not, want not. Retreading tires also helps reduce waste as far fewer tires are sent to landfills.
Recycling and retreading also use far fewer raw materials than producing new tires, conserving resources like oil, steel, rubber, and energy. The energy consumption for retreading is actually lower than that required to manufacture new tires.
Retreading also generates less carbon emissions compared to manufacturing new tires, and it promotes a more circular economy by recycling materials and reducing waste.
The Role of Tire Recycling
Tire recycling is all about giving old tires a second life—whether through retreading or turning them into other useful products.
In the context of retreading, tire recycling has to do with breaking down the old tires to remove the worn-out tread and prepare the casings for retreading. The tire recycling machinery plays a critical role in making sure each tire is safe and ready for a fresh start.
Retreading reduces waste and cuts down on the environmental impact of producing new tires. Trucking fleets can save billions of dollars by investing in tire recycling, minimizing their need for expensive new tires while ensuring safety and durability.
Investing in top-notch tire recycling equipment could bring your tire recycling plant new customers, such as trucking companies, who need efficient tire retreading services.
Want to learn more? Check out industry resources on retreading or reach out to tire recycling equipment manufacturers such as EcoGreen Equipment for quality machinery.
