2019 Recycling Industry Yearbook

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. 48 TIRES AND RUBBER In the past, scrap tires were often dumped illegally. Today, scrap tires’ value is more properly recognized. Rubber from recycled tires is used to manufacture new tires, playground surfaces, equestrian mats, rubberized asphalt, and a variety of other products. Some manufacturers are combining scrap tires with materials such as scrap plastic to produce flower pots, roofing tiles, and auto parts. A tire is a highly engineered composite product that is virtually indestructible. Today’s tire recyclers have two approaches for tire processing: Ambient shredding uses powerful interlocking knives to cut tires into pieces at room temperature. Cryogenic processing uses liquid nitrogen to change the physical properties of the tires, making them brittle. Powerful hammer-style shredders then smash the tire into small pieces. Grinders and granulators can reduce the material to a fine powder. In 2016, 1.2 billion pounds of crumb rubber, including 92 million used tires, were used in the creation of new products. Of that number, 70 million are processed into crumb rubber, which becomes playground surfaces, synthetic turf infill, and other products. Another 20 million tires are used for civil engineering projects such as road embankments and rail vibration dampening. Agricultural applications are the destination of 5 million tires. Rubber from recycled tires is used to manufacture new tires, playground surfaces, equestrian mats, rubberized asphalt, and a variety of other products.