Can Tires Be Recycled?
1 Answers
Tires can be recycled. Used tires are generally collected by auto parts markets. Tire vendors collect various types of waste tires from tire repair shops, recycling stations, and drivers. After centralized collection and sorting, these tires are sold to upstream dealers locally or elsewhere based on demand. The upstream dealers process the tires into reusable ones and sell them back to tire repair shops or drivers. Alternatively, the upstream dealers further process the tires before selling them to higher-level dealers. Notes on Handling Used Tires: Tire Retreading: Tire retreading technology involves refurbishing worn or damaged tires through repair processes to restore their usability. Converting Waste Tires into Fuel Using Catalysts: This technology involves heating and pressurizing waste tires to extract fuel. However, if low-cost and simple equipment is used, it can easily cause secondary pollution. Recycled Rubber from Tire Powder: This technology first involves crushing waste tires into 20–30 mesh rubber powder using specialized equipment. The rubber powder is then desulfurized to form softened, moldable recycled rubber, which can be reprocessed into various rubber products. However, if the desulfurization process is not properly executed, it can also lead to pollution. Waterproofing and Leak Repair Using Tire Powder: Waterproof membranes are mainly used for building leak repairs. Nowadays, most buildings undergo waterproofing treatments, and this industry is widespread nationwide, with a huge demand for waterproof membranes. Rubber powder is a key raw material in this technology, as waterproof membranes also fall under modified asphalt.
