Ever wondered where your old tyres go after replacement? This guide explores what happens to old tyres, how recycling transforms them into new products, and why responsible tyre disposal matters for safety and the environment. Learn how your worn tyres could be reborn as playgrounds, tracks, or flooring materials.
Have you ever wondered what happens to the old, worn, and damaged tyres that you leave at your local garage with every replacement?
While tyres which are damaged beyond repair or which have worn right down past the legal minimum tread depth cannot be repurposed for the road, they can be broken down and used to make and support other products.
Keep reading for a breakdown of some of the ways that old tyres can be used in the UK.
How Many Tyres Are Recycled?
Stats produced and shared by Michelin state that around 88% of old and worn end-of-life tyres are collected and recycled efficiently, using the rubber and other components to manufacture other products.
Which Parts of the Tyre Can be Recycled?
All parts of an old tyre can be recycled, with professional bodies separating the tyres into their individual components for effective reuse.
This process of separation is crucial to effective and efficient recycling, as it is what enables the tyre to be safely used and passed on for new products.
The rubber from each tyre is arguably the most versatile part which can be recycled, with the rubber then broken down into small particles and funnelled into the production process for countless rubber items. Some common uses for old and recycled rubber include:
- Sports tracks and running tracks
- Playgrounds in schools and local parks
- Seals and mats for domestic and commercial use
All of these main uses see the rubber broken down into fine particles or even melted right down, altering the property of the material and making use of its versatile and durable structure.
