One of the problems facing modern mankind is the issue of recycling worn out and old tires. According to statistics, the total weight of unrefined old tires is measured in millions of tons. For example, in Europe, more than 3 million tons of tires are recycled annually. The situation is roughly the same in the United States. Naturally, Russia is not lagging behind either. Often, ordinary people are indifferent to the issue of recycling already used tires and do not think about how they will get rid of their old tires.
There are not so many ways to dispose of used tires. However, you cannot just throw them away. Firstly, it is very environmentally unfriendly. After all, rubber, decomposing, becomes a rather toxic substance that can poison everything around. Secondly, it is impractical. For the most part, you can recycle old tires for a fee.
How are worn tires disposed of?
One of the ways you can dispose of the rubber that has become unnecessary is through recycling. It has a huge number of advantages, and this procedure is of great economic and environmental importance.
The raw materials from which car tires are made diminish over time. And even used tires still contain valuable substances: rubber, metal, textile cord. All this may well be recycled and put into production of new tires or other useful items.
One of the tire recycling methods is carried out at low temperatures - down to -90 degrees. The tire in such conditions becomes very fragile and quickly disintegrates into pieces. This method is one of the most energy efficient.
Liquid nitrogen is usually used to cool the rubber. It is a fairly harmless substance for the environment and humans, so the damage to the environment from this method of recycling tires is minimal.
The second method of recycling tires is the baro-destructive method. This technology is based on "fluidizing" tires at high pressure. As a result, it simply flows through the holes of a special chamber.
Mechanical rubber processing is a mechanical grinding to small pieces. Sometimes a tire is turned into a real powder by this method.
The newest technology, which is increasingly beginning to be used in specialized enterprises, involves blowing the tire with ozone, as a result of which it literally crumbles into crumbs.
There are also chemical methods for recycling tires. In this case, in most cases, they are burned together with special chemicals in special ovens.
It is not recommended to burn tires just like that, because they are very toxic and, when burned, release harmful carcinogens into the atmosphere. In addition, putting out a burning tire is quite problematic.
Why recycled tires come in handy
The powders obtained from recycled tires are actively used in various industries. So, for example, they are used to make rubber plates for completing tram and railway crossings. Such boards are characterized by high strength and stability, as well as low noise levels.
Larger particles are used as a sorbent, which is used to collect oil from the water surface.
Alternative disposal methods
Alternative methods of disposal include flower beds, barriers, fences, etc. created in the yards. Local craftsmen paint the tires with paints to make them look more fun. However, experts assure: despite the originality and simplicity of the model, it is by no means worth doing this. This is due to the fact that tires do not completely decompose, but at the same time they emit harmful substances into the atmosphere. In addition, when storing tires or storing them in bulk, they become a favorite place for various parasites, rodents, etc. And this is already the path to the development of infectious diseases turning into real epidemics.
It is best to take your old tires to designated collection points. And then the specialists of such points themselves will transfer your tires for recycling. If the tires are old, you will not be able to return them for a fee. But you can get rid of the problem of recycling waste material for free.
Where to return your tires is one of the frequently asked questions. In Moscow, for example, this can be done in almost any tire service.
