Why Proper Commercial Tire Recycling Is Important
The United States generates about 300 million scrap tires annually. Each tire weighs about 20 pounds, so billions of pounds of non-degradable materials continue to stack up in landfills.
Sustainable fleet practices are good for your commercial vehicles, but they also help protect the environment. Learn more about why it’s important to recycle commercial tires.
Reduced Landfill Dumping
A tire’s circular shape and hollow center take up lots of square footage. They’re also durable and don’t wear down easily, so they’ll pile on top of each other in landfills instead of degrading. That reduces the amount of landfill space for other items that aren’t recyclable or are hazardous to the environment.
Prevent Tire Fire Pollution
Commercial tires emit combustible chemicals that can turn a landfill into a tinderbox. Accidents, wildfires and lightning strikes may ignite a pile of scrap tires, releasing toxic fumes, oil and other contaminants into the air, soil and groundwater.
Tire fires can burn for a long time, resulting in costly cleanup efforts and long-term environmental damage. Properly disposing of or recycling commercial tires reduces the risk of fires and lowers the overall environmental impact.
Pest Control
A pile of discarded commercial tires can be an ugly site that’s made more unsavory when it’s turned into a nest for pests. Their round shape allows them to collect water and leaves, making them a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mice and rats also nest inside discarded tires as they provide insulation and protection. Those pests can carry various diseases that may pass to humans and other animals.
Cost Management
Illegally dumping tires in forests, waterways and parking lots can result in fines and penalties in addition to harming the environment. Protect your bottom line by recycling tires, so you don’t have to pay fees for using landfills.
New Products
The rubber, steel bands and nylon fibers in commercial tires are recyclable. Scrap tire rubber is repurposed for:
- Landscaping and playground mulch
- Fuel
- Sports turf
- Retaining walls
- Septic system drain fields
- Road repairs
- Highway subgrading
Long-Term Benefits of Commercial Tire Recycling
Resource conservation: Recycling commercial tires reduces the need for raw materials when creating new products. Scrap tire rubber also contributes to commercial retreads, preventing it from ending up in landfills.
Energy savings: Commercial tire recycling requires less energy than producing new tires. Shredding and grinding scrap tires produces fewer emissions than extracting and refining the rubber and oil needed to produce new tires.
Job creation: Tire recycling facilities create jobs, boosting the local economy. That includes administrative, research and development, collection and processing roles. Those businesses also generate revenue by selling byproducts derived from recycling tires.
Get a Jump on Sustainability with Retread Tires from Bauer Built
Extend the life of your tires and save money with commercial retread tires. Our nine-step retread process can reduce casing fatigue, increase mileage and lower fuel consumption.
Find a retread location near you to schedule service.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog