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What Happens To My Used Tires? by Drivin' Ivan

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Have you ever wondered where all of the used and discarded tires go after they have been replaced on our cars and trucks?  I actually had never given this too much thought until the other day when I went hunting for the "Blair Witch".  Well, really I was just taking a walk in the Maryland park where the "Blair Witch Project" was filmed and instead of encountering the fictional, film freuline, I ran into the "Tire Dragon" instead. 

 

This "Tire Dragon" had been expertly constructed on a playground along with many other tires used as swings, obstacles, and as a soft padding for the ground made from shredded tires.  It was great to see gobs of children enjoying this great playground made from what would other-wise be landfill material!  Tires of all sizes were expertly positioned in the ground and around the playground to deliver maximum fun! 

 

Tire recycling is big business and I counted nearly 200 companies on recycle.net who are involved in various aspects of the business.  From flooring, playground construction, tire recycling, road paving, and tire derived fuel there are several ways that our tires are saved from rolling into a local landfill.  The Environmental Protection Agencies web site epa.gov lists many products that are made from used tires.  According to the EPA, "Scrap tires may be cut, punched, and stamped into various rubber products after removal of the steel bead. Products include floor mats, belts, gaskets, shoe soles, dock bumpers, seals, muffler hangers, shims, and washers."  Used tires are also positioned to save lives and minimize impact in highway crash barriers.  

 

The EPA's web site also held the answer to the age old question, what happens to all that money collected from tire disposal fees?  According to the EPA, "Many, but not all, states collect tire fees. In states where there are no tire fees, tire dealers, junk yards, etc. may charge customers for disposal (or may include the cost in the price of the tires purchased). In most states, the fees collected are dedicated to tire recycling and scrap tire cleanup, however, some states may use these funds for scrap tire management and market development. Other states use a portion of tire fees to fund other state projects."

 

Used tires are also burnt and recycled into fuel for use in cement kilns, paper mills, electric utilities, and industrial and institutional boilers.  Now the next time you trade in your old tires in favor of low-profile ultra sticky tread wrapped around those shiny chromed wheels, you'll know that there is still a lot of life left in them!  It's great that with the prices of food, fuel and materials skyrocketing in the last couple of years, we are collectively thinking of great ways to recycle.