What Are the Utilization Values of Old Tires?

[McReese]

Old tires can be used in reclaimed rubber factories, waterproof building materials industry, highway construction, etc. Here are some related introductions about the utilization value of old tires: 1. Reclaimed rubber factories purchase: Generally, reclaimed rubber factories directly purchase rubber powder in large quantities. The annual production of reclaimed rubber in China exceeds 1 million tons, and there are reclaimed rubber factories of varying scales in each province. Rubber powder is the main raw material for reclaimed rubber. 2. Waterproof building materials industry: Current waterproof materials such as rubber asphalt rolls, waterproof ointments, etc. 3. Highway construction: In the past, only asphalt was used. Now, high-grade road surfaces in the country require the addition of rubber powder, which not only reduces costs but also improves service life. 4. Construction of sports fields and runways: Stadium runways, airplane runways, and golf courses are all made from recycled rubber powder.

[Robert]

Our auto repair shop often receives used tires replaced by car owners, which can actually be turned into practical treasures. For example, cutting them in half and nailing them to the wall creates ultra-sturdy three-dimensional flower pots, perfect for planting succulents with excellent drainage and breathability. Small workshops recycle them into rubber granules, mixing them into plastic running tracks or soccer field turf. Some DIY enthusiasts even use tires as coffee table bases, wrapping them with hemp rope and topping them with a glass plate for an instant industrial-style home decor. Coastal fishing villages are even smarter, tying old tires to docks as fenders, which are more durable than specialized rubber bumpers. However, it's important not to discard them carelessly, as the steel wires inside the tires can conduct electricity and pose a danger during rainy weather.

[OLeah]

Last time camping, I saw the campsite creatively repurposing old tires: painted in bright colors and stacked into a climbing wall, which the kids couldn't wait to play on. Our fleet's retired tires didn’t go to waste either—cut in half and fitted with wooden planks to make indoor gym squat racks, capable of supporting 300 kg without a problem. I remember visiting a farm once and discovering they used tire rings as seedling pots, far more durable than plastic ones. Scrap rubber is actually quite valuable; recycling centers buy it by the ton to make modified asphalt additives, which reduce noise when mixed into road surfaces. Of course, the simplest reuse is cutting tires into strips to use as rubber mallets—perfect for DIY furniture repairs.

[MargaretAnn]

Don't rush to throw away aged tires—they have great upcycling potential. A member in my car club made an outdoor sofa using four old tires and wooden planks, which has withstood wind and rain for three years without damage. Tires collected by auto parts markets are sent to rubber factories, where they're crushed and mixed into floor mats or speed bumps. A common rural use is filling them with soil for vegetable planting, especially strawberries—no bending required for maintenance. A friend who worked at ports said ships use old tires as fenders, costing half as much as specialized rubber. For homes with small yards, painting tires white and filling them with soil creates flower beds far more economical than buying concrete planters.