Whether the tread on your tires has worn down or it’s punctured beyond repair, it’s time for replacement. Not only do you need to find acceptable new tires, but you also need to consider what happens to the old ones. Learn how to recycle tires to help keep them out of the landfill.

Why You Shouldn’t Trash Tires

Tires are designed to withstand wear and tear. While their durability makes them safe for the road, it also makes them difficult to dispose. This non-biodegradable material is not accepted in most landfills. Even though they’re highly flammable, incinerating tires releases toxins that wreak havoc on the environment. Luckily, there are ways to reuse and recycle tires once they’ve been retired from the road.

How to Reuse and Recycle Tires

Recycling an item usually means breaking it down to create something new. Synthetic tires can’t be melted down like metal and plastic can. There are still ways to repurpose an old tire and give it new life.

• Reuse. Turn an old tire into outdoor decor — such as a swing, stairs, planter, or table base. Be careful that moisture doesn’t get trapped within the rims, as standing water can become a breeding place for insects.
• Recycle. Check with the tire manufacturer, area auto shops, or a local recycling center if they accept old tires for proper recycling.

The process for recycling tires involves shredding them for a wide range of uses. Here’s how it works:

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

Not only are these cost-effective, sustainable 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, help ensure they’re recycled properly. If you’re replacing them yourself and don’t want to create repurposed decor, at least make sure the tires are taken to a certified recycling facility. Contact JDog Junk Removal & Hauling to pick up your old tires for responsible disposal.