The Potential of Used Tires
The potential of used tires lies in the creative reuse of discarded materials. Tires can be transformed into everything from decorative pieces to furniture to watering troughs for cattle, and even playgrounds for children.
The creative re-use of waste materials can help solve a wide range of environmental issues. From reducing landfill space to creating more sustainable energy to combating the spread of diseases like the West Nile virus, re-using old tires can improve socio-economic justice and reduce pollution.
In Lesotho, a highland nation surrounded by South Africa, artist Nthabiseng TeReo Mohanela turns discarded materials into clothing and accessories that reimagines traditional Basotho culture. The film also shows how artists, musicians, farmers and others across the world respond to entrenched social problems with re-creation.
From Trash to Treasure: The Potential of Used Tires
It’s estimated that the world generates about one billion used tires every year. Most of these tires are recycled or otherwise re-purposed into new products, but the remaining waste is stockpiled or illegally dumped.
Despite these efforts, scrap tires still represent a significant problem that impacts human health and the environment. They are prone to heat retention and can ignite, causing tire fires that are hard to extinguish. They are also a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and they contribute to air pollution by polluting riparian areas and deserts.
Many states have taken steps to prevent illegal dumping and promote recycling by cleaning up tire stockpiles. Some local jurisdictions also conduct tire amnesty days or allow citizens to drop off limited numbers of tires at state scrap tire centers for free.
As the world’s largest consumer of tires, Bridgestone Americas is committed to promoting the environmental benefits of re-using used tires in innovative ways. We are a core member of USTMA, which works to promote the use of re-use and recycling for tires worldwide. In addition, we are also active in helping the industry address issues such as tire stockpiles and illegal dumping.
Re-use and recycling of tires is an important part of Bridgestone Americas’ environmental sustainability strategy, and we support USTMA’s initiatives to reduce waste, create a more circular economy and increase the recycling rate of used tires. Using a variety of re-use and recycle techniques, we have been working to reduce the number of waste tires since 2009.
In addition to recycling, we are also actively working to create safe and sustainable mobility for our customers. From improving our manufacturing processes to making our products safer for customers and the environment, we are a leader in sustainability within the tire industry.
The most valuable of all re-use and recycle methods is the simple act of using something that previously had no purpose. The first step in this process is to take note of what you throw out that could be re-purposed into something useful and beautiful. Paper, plastic, food, branches and leaves, clothes, and more are all great places to start.