Once the tread on your tires becomes unsafe for driving, they should be replaced. But what happens to the old ones? Discover the do’s and don’ts of recycling tires and how you can help ensure they’re properly disposed.

Why Tires Can’t be Trashed

Tires were designed not to break down easily. This makes them a durable option for safe driving, but it also makes them difficult to dispose. Their non-biodegradable material is not accepted in most landfills. While they may be highly flammable, incinerating tires releases toxins that wreak havoc on the environment. So what happens when they’re no longer suitable for cars? There are ways to reuse and recycle tires, even if they’ll never see a vehicle again.

Process for Recycling Tires

Because of their synthetic makeup, tires can’t simply be melted down and turned into new tires again. But there are still ways to repurpose an old tire and keep it out of a landfill.

• Reuse. With some imagination and innovation, you can turn an old tire into outdoor decor such as a swing, stairs, planter, or table base. Just make sure moisture doesn’t get trapped within the rims, as standing water could become a breeding place for insects.
• Recycle. Check with the tire manufacturer, area auto shops, or local recycling center to see if they accept old tires for proper recycling.

The process for recycling tires is designed to break them down in a more sustainable way for a wide range of uses. Here’s how it works:

1. Discarded tires are collected from tire shops and recycling centers.
2. They’re sorted based on their condition, size, and potential for reuse. Some lightly worn tires can be retreaded.
3. Tires that cannot be reused are mechanically shredded into smaller pieces that can be used for durable playground surfaces, sports fields, and landscaping mulch.
4. During shredding, the steel wires inside the tires are separated and recycled into new products.
5. Tire shreds are further processed into crumb rubber or fine powder to be used in asphalt mixes and rubberized flooring.

Some of the more innovative uses of recycled tires transforms their durable properties into sustainable ways of improving road conditions and increasing product safety features. Not only are these cost-effective options for construction projects, but they reduce the environmental impact of traditional materials and disposing tires.

What You Can Do

When it comes time to replace your tires, you can help ensure they’re recycled properly. If you don’t want to repurpose old tires into your decor, at least make sure they’re taken to a certified recycling facility. Contact JDog Junk Removal & Hauling to come pick up your old tires for responsible recycling. You can also support businesses that use recycled tires in their products, and spread awareness on the impact of tire waste and recycling on the environment.