Say Goodbye To Hazardous Tyre Mountains – Reuse and Recycle

In the UK alone, upwards of 40 million scrap tyres are produced each year as our tyres reach the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced.

Historically the volume of waste created by the disposal of used tyres has caused a huge problem for the environment with large stockpiles of scrap tyres piling up in dumps and growing fast.

The majority of developed countries now have regulations in place to make sure that tyres are disposed of safely due to a variety of different hazards and since 2006, the European Union Landfill Directive has completely banned all tyres, including shredded parts of them from being disposed of in landfill sites.

Potential Hazards

Disease -pooled water creates the perfect breeding site for mosquitoes and rats also like to make themselves at home, nesting inside tyres
Contamination of groundwater
Tyres are flammable – and present a significant fire hazard. Burning tyres are notoriously difficult to extinguish, releasing toxic fumes and oil. The aftermath has a long lasting impact.
On top of the hazards listed above, tyres are a bulky item that fills huge volumes of space in landfill – these were issues that needed to be addressed urgently.

Recycling Scrap Tyres – Some Of The Many Options 

• Bedding / mats for animals
• Playground resurfacing
• Sports resurfacing
• Material can be used in the production of shoes
• Retreads – in the right condition, some tyres can be remoulded and reused on the road
• Floor mats for vehicles
• Rubber enhanced asphalt for resurfacing of roads

Reusing Scrap Tyres

• Baled tyres can be used to create walls for flood defence
• Used as a building material in the construction of eco homes and ‘earthships’
• Gardening – construction of raised beds and planters
• Parks – swings, climbing apparatus, bumper on zip wires
• Bicycle parking rack
• Recycled into furniture- i.e. stools
• Crash barrier for off road biking tracks, go carts etc.

Choosing A Responsible Retailer

Huge steps have been taken to find new solutions to this environmental issue thanks to EU regulations and a variety of practical and innovative ideas over recent years. As you can see there are many different uses for scrap tyres.

Now in the UK, there are audits carried out on businesses to keep track and ensure that tyres are being disposed of in an appropriate way. Part of the disposal cost has been added to the price of tyres to help cover the additional expense incurred by the retailer.

As a responsible driver who cares about the environment, you will need to opt for a responsible retailer. When shopping for new tyres be sure to vote with your feet and choose retailers who dispose of scrap tyres in the greenest, most environmentally friendly ways possible.