Recycling guide: what to do with used tyres
Used tyres present a big environmental issue because they can be difficult to recycle. It has been illegal to send them to landfill in the UK since 2006, which is why many end up discarded by the side of the road or at fly-tipping sites. However, tyres can and should be recycled.
How are tyres recycled?
Tyres are composed of rubber, steel, textiles, oils and other trace chemicals. That’s why they’re so difficult to recycle. End-of-life tyres are usually granulated to ensure all the different materials can be retrieved. Once the rubber has been shredded into small pieces, it can be used in a variety of ways.
Refurbishing old tyres. You can re-tread a used tyre using recycled rubber.
Producing energy. You can produce energy for manufacturing by incinerating the rubber.
Creating new products. The rubber can be broken down and reconstituted in new products.
How to recycle tyres
Use a tyre collection company
Tyre recycling companies like National Tyre Recovery Ltd offer a daily, weekly or monthly collection service, making it easy to get rid of your used tyres without worrying about the paperwork. They accept all tyres and operate throughout the UK. This is the best option for automotive business owners.
Other options
There are a couple of other recycling options. However, they are less practical if you need to dispose of a large volume of tyres.
Use a recycling centre
Some recycling centres accept used tyres. There is often a fee, and they may only take a limited number of tyres at a time. You can find out where your local recycling centre is here.
Repurpose them
Old tyres make excellent garden planters and even jumps for horse riding. Your local community or school might be able to use them for a project.
Things you should never do with tyres
You should never:
Burn them
Fly-tip
Send them to landfill
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