What Happens To Old Tires At Scrap Yards?

What happens when tires reach the end of the road? You’ve probably wondered about this, especially when you were just a new car owner. Well, there are a variety of ways that tires get disposed of; some repurpose them into recreational materials like swings or batter’s target practice. Others use scrap tires for safety measures, like cushioning protection on racetracks.

However, companies like scrap yards dispose of used tires in a safe way, such as recycling. There are also many organizations across Canada that have programs for tire recycling. This article will give you a brief idea of what happens to old, used tires when they get sent to scrap yards.

How many tires get recycled every year?

According to the Canadian Association of Tire Recycling Agencies (CATRA), an estimated one billion tires reach the end of their lives annually, on a global scale. Canada prides itself on collecting over 421,000 tonnes of tires for recycling in 2019. Most Canadian provinces have program management for end-of-life tires, including passenger and light-truck (PLT) tires, medium truck (MT) tires, and off-the-road (OTR) tires.

What types of products are recycled tires used to make?

Over 5 million scrap car tires are recycled and reused to create new products. They are mostly repurposed into recycled rubber and then made into various everyday materials such as safety surfacing for playgrounds, flooring, as well as rubber, and landscaping mulch.

What are tires made of?

Tires are primarily made of rubber, mixed in with other components and raw materials. Michelin, one of the world’s best tire manufacturers (and has a plant-based in Canada), said that over 200 components make up a tire, which are key ingredients for its performance, safety, fuel efficiency, and eco-friendliness. These are grouped into the following:

1. Natural Rubber

   The main tread component of a tire. It comes from a milky liquid sourced from rubber trees and then infused with acids to harden it. Natural rubber can stand up to different kinds of weather and climate, is cheap, and keeps its grip well.

2. Synthetic Rubber

   Two types of synthetic rubber are used when manufacturing tires: styrene-butadiene rubber and butadiene rubber. Synthetic rubber is made from polymers found in crude oil. Halobutyl rubber is also a valuable component when using synthetic rubber on tires, as it helps keep the tire inflated.

3. Carbon Black and Silica

   These fillers are used to reinforce the tire and improve its durability, abrasion, tensile strength, and tear.

4. Metallic and Textile Cables

   These components are considered the “skeleton” and help form the shape of the tire.

5. Chemical Agents

   Chemicals such as antioxidants and antiozonants are used to help the tire become resistant to exposure to different temperatures and ozone layer effects. Meanwhile, chemicals such as zinc oxide and sulfur are used to help solidify the rubber.

Do You Want To Remove Your Old Scrap Car?

CALL US NOW

What can your old tires turn into?

There are a lot of products that can be made from recycled tires! Lots of manufacturers use recycled rubber found in used tires such as:

• Fiber and nylon products
• Carpets
• Bricks
• Flooring
• Polyethylene plastic
• Tire-derived fuel (TDF)
• Tire-derived aggregate (TDA)
• Rubber powder
• Steel
• Landscaping materials

How much is my old scrap car worth with and without tires?

When taking your car to the scrap yard, the value of your vehicle could depend on various factors. These include the overall condition of your used car, the metals left in the car, and its weight. If it still has significant parts, such as tires, it could have a higher estimated value compared to a tireless vehicle. For a more accurate quotation, you can contact us here.

FAQ

1. Why is tire recycling good for the environment?

   Recycling tires and keeping them out of landfill is good for the environment because we save energy and resources when repurposing these tires into other materials.

2. Can you use scrap tires to make new ones?

   Small amounts of rubber from used tires are used as fillers in new tires. Minimal amounts are used due to material differences and quality restrictions.

3. What is tire-derived fuel (TDF)?

   TDF is an alternative source of energy sourced from old tires mixed with wood chips and sawdust.

4. What is tire-derived aggregate (TDA)?

   TDA is known as shredded scrap tires used in various civil engineering projects or other public works. Examples of these include landfill applications and road insulation.