Recycling of Tires

Tire recycling is an increasing problem in our modern society. They are similar to plastic, both representing a consumer commodity. An average of one 10-kilogram rubber tire per person per year is later discarded, whereas a total of one-third of a billion tires are annually disposed. Their flammable material consists of oil which if ignited, tends to produce smoke, carbon monoxide, and toxins and hold tight air pockets, making it difficult to extinguish. There have been attempts where tires could be recycled and reused for fuel or filter for asphalt, however only 10% of the tires are consumed for those purposes. Although it is quite early to tell whether or not the rubber of tires will be completely resuable, chemists at the GoodYear Tire and Rubber Company have found a way to remove sulfur added to rubber in vulcanization, so that the rubber maybe reused. Pyrolysis is also a process where researches have practiced the reprocess of shredded tires. So far recycled rubber tires have been used to build homes, which are filled with dirt and covered with stucco or adobe. Currently, they have also been appearing in the use of doormats and footwear.
It's too bad that this is a problem that is continously progressing, due to the fact that there are increasing productions and manufacturing of cars which encourage consumers to dispose of their previous ones. However, it is good to know that there are certain uses of recycled rubber tires that are safe. Since chemists of the GoodYear Tire Company have began to find ways to reuse tires almost completely, there is hope that one day it will be commercially viable.

Terms:

1. Pyrolysis-the process of thermal degradation of a material in the abscence of oxygen, where the resulting products are low-grade gaseous and liquid fuels, along with char, can be further treated and converted into activated carbon.

2. Char-a mixture containing minerals and a low-grade version of carbon black.

3. Adobe-sun-dried brick made of clay and straw, in common use in countries having little rainfall.



Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: 2nd Edition. “Recycling of Tires.” W. H. Freeman and Co. New York. 2006. Pg. 203-204.