Original Location

 

 

Resource Recovery

Scrap Tire Markets
 
The largest market in 1996 was energy, with 164 million scrap tires used at an annual rate. 

While the physical properties of the tire discourage "recycling" in the pure sense, its chemical properties lead us to energy recovery.

An analysis of the composition of an average radial passenger tire reveals its energy value...

1. Natural rubber - a renewable energy resource that comes from the rubber tree. Material is withdrawn without destroying the tree.

2. Synthetic rubber - produced from crude oil, a high energy fuel much cleaner than coal.

3. Carbon black - also produced from crude oil, and a product with a high energy value.

4. Petrochemicals, extender oils and organic fabric - produced from crude oil, they contribute to the energy value.

5. Steel in the tire - at high temperatures, oxidizes to produce 3,500 Btu per pound.

Ground rubber from discarded tires is currently bing reused in sports & playground surfaces, automotive floor mats, dock bumbers and railroad crossings.

Other Uses

Agriculture: Use scrap tires on low speed, non-highway farm equipment, as well as stock feeders, cover weights, etc.

Civil Engineering: Whole tires in artificial reefs, breakwaters and walls; shredded material as road-fill, sub-grade, backfill, landfill leachate collection systems and cell daily cover, and septic systems leach fields.

Fabricated Products: Cut or stamped products from tire carcasses such as mat components, dock bumpers, muffler hangers, snowblower blades, etc.

Size Reduced: Crumb rubber compound functioning as a filler-extender in molded rubber or plastic products, in athletic and recreation applications, in friction materials and in rubber modified asphalt pavement.

Miscellaneous: From the backyard swing to flower pots, race track crash barriers, boat dock bumpers, etc.

Export: Tires with adequate tread and/or retreadable tires for further use are regularly exported from the U.S. for agricultural use.

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