Rather than having it take up space in landfills (and illegal landfills), many companies are
looking at technologies that can improve the process of recycling rubber tires. There are many benefits that can come from recycling scrap tires, particularly for the environment.
Companies are using scrap rubber to create numerous products, from road paving materials to sports equipment to shoes and more. Recycling rubber can indeed save the earth, and create a greener footprint for generations to come.
Benefits of Recycling Rubber Tires
Let's take a look at some of the many benefits of recycling rubber tires.
Fewer Solid Wastes – One of the biggest benefits of rubber recycling is the reduction of waste that is produced. In fact, recycling allows manufacturers to use more materials in the creation of their products, ensuring that fewer materials end up in landfills. This includes tires, which take up a great deal of landfill space. The scraps that are found everywhere in landfills are unhealthy for the environment and for humans in general, not to mention the fact that they create a huge eyesore.
Fewer Landfill Issues – The three largest problems faced by landfills are greenhouse gases, leachate, and toxins. All of these can come from scrap tires, which also, as previously mentioned, take up more landfill space. Recycling tires and reusing the rubber is one way to reduce and eventually eliminate these problems.
Less Pollution – While more and more landfills are no longer accepting rubber tires, there is a greater need for recycling to ensure that the scrap rubber doesn't end up in oceans, rivers, and other land. When exposed to direct sunlight and compression, scrap rubber tires break down, thereby releasing harmful toxins into the environment. These toxins include heavy metals and dangerous chemicals that contaminate water, soil, and the air we breathe. Recycling rubber will help to prevent these issues, leading to less pollution.
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint – Rather than creating new products from natural materials, our carbon footprint can be reduced by using recycled materials. This will lead to less greenhouse gas emission, as well as less use of plastics and rubber in general. Rubber from tires can be used to create many products, including rubber gaskets and of course, new tires. Some people are even using old tires for DIY projects, turning them into furniture.
Reduced Energy Consumption – It takes less energy to recycle rubber than it does to produce new rubber and make products from recycled materials. The less energy that is used, the less our greenhouse gases emission will be. More and more companies are getting on board with recycling scrap tires, so not only are they being more environmentally-friendly, they are also cutting costs in their manufacturing processes. For instance, energy can be produced from tire-derived oil, which can produce the same amount of energy as oil or coal.
Less Production of Natural Rubber – Natural rubber comes from trees that produce latex, or rubber trees. These trees are not easy to grow or harvest, and by recycling tires, we can help to replenish rubber tree farms faster and lessen the disruption of rain forests and other environmentally-sensitive areas where virgin materials are found. While there are many demands for rubber for numerous products, this demand can be met with recycled rubber.
Increased Fire Safety – Scrap rubber tires are highly flammable, and if not properly disposed of, tires in landfills have a great potential to catch fire and burn. These fires are difficult to control, and can spread quickly and burn longer than other items, leading to extensive damage to the environment. The smoke from tire fires can cause respiratory issues in humans and animals, and there are many other problems that can arise for the environment. Recycling rubber can eliminate these hazards, and save money in the long run.
Fewer Insect Infestations – Many people don't realize that scrap tires can lead to insect infestation. This is particularly true if they are not properly disposed of or attended to during rainy seasons in many areas around the world. Unattended rubber tires can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects, which in turn can lead to the spread of diseases, including malaria. Recycling rubber tires can help to ensure public safety.
Liberty Tire Recycling: Supporting a Green Circular Economy
Not only can recycling scrap tires help the environment, it can also help to support a green circular economy. This is the goal of Liberty Tire Recycling. This is a company that has made great strides in the rubber recycling industry, through collaborative partnerships and innovation.
Company partners are seeing great advantages and are able to expand into new markets through the use of these recycled materials. Tires are saved from landfills, ensuring that the landfills are not overloaded, and that waterways and the air we breathe are seeing less pollution.
All parts of each tire is recycled as raw materials, including crumb rubber (more on crumb rubber in the following section). Tires that still have life left in them are resold back into the used tire marketplace, and downgraded tires are repurposed to create products that are safe and environmentally-friendly.
Crumb Rubber: An Important Use for Recycled Tires
When tires are repurposed, they are often broken down into crumb rubber. This is done through a process that involves cleaning and grinding the rubber to create small particles. The resulting material has the same chemical composition as new rubber, while being more environmentally-friendly.
Crumb rubber is used for a variety of purposes, including road paving materials, roofing materials, and even for children's playground surfaces. Recycling tires is economically sound, and it is also better for the environment, allowing companies to create products that use fewer new materials.
Crumb rubber is safe, according to more than 100 studies conducted by several agencies and individuals, including academic, private, and government agencies. There is little to no health risk involved with recycling rubber into crumb, making crumb rubber a better alternative to using new rubber.
Canada Rubber Group Inc.: A Leading Producer of Industrial Rubber Products
Canada Rubber Group Inc. (CRGI) is a company that is committed to lessening the environmental impact of the production of new rubber and rubber products. This company is using approximately 100,000 pounds of recycled rubber annual to turn that waste into products that are eco-friendly and useful.
The CRGI recycling program takes rubber waste from landfills, thus reducing and even preventing the many dangers that can arise from scrap rubber. This means there is much less degradation of rubber, which is a known danger to the environment. The management and staff at CRGI are committed to responsible environmental stewardship.
Trends in the Recycled Rubber Industry
Sustainable rubber production can begin with recycling scrap tires. This leads to environmentally and socially responsible practices within the scrap rubber industry. Some of the many benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the conservation of natural resources, and ensuring that workers and communities involved in the production of rubber are protected.
Many companies are working towards creating sustainable rubber production practices, including Michelin, which is targeted to source 100 percent sustainable rubber by 2050. Many companies are collaborating with The Natural Rubber Innovation Hub (NRIH) to develop sustainable methods of rubber production.
Recycled rubber has several benefits, including keeping waste out of landfills, which will ultimately reduce the environmental impact of scrap rubber tires and other rubber products. It also helps to lessen the need for virgin rubber, which can be costly, both financially and to the environment.
As mentioned earlier in this article, Michelin is developing tire recycling technology that will create new tires. Bridgestone has created a program that recycles scrap tires to make raw materials that are used for the production of new items. Continental and Goodyear are also working on initiatives that will reduce waste in their productions.
Conclusion
One of the most critical issues for the rubber industry, as well as the environment, is rubber recycling. When we are able to reduce waste and recycle rubber tires and other rubber products, we are able to reduce the environmental impact as well as save on production costs. Rubber recycling will enable businesses to have new opportunities and create more value to their products simply by using recycled materials.
When companies use these trends to their advantage, they can make significant improvements to their environmental performance. It also allows them to reduce cost, and be able to increase their customer bases. Brand value can be increased through sustainable rubber production and rubber recycling, and advancements in technology can help to improve the durability and performance of products made from rubber.
Many companies are expanding into newer markets due to the growing demand for rubber products, and they are doing so by using products that are made from recycled materials, including rubber from scrap tires. They are increasing revenue and their customer base while protecting the environment at the same time.