Tires are the largest type of rubber use. It is necessary to understand the fundamentals of rubber production in order to understand the pollution prevention opportunities in the tire industries. Tires are produced by melting rubber pellets and additives into sheets, then binding the sheets with reinforcement such as steel wire and molding the sheets into tread patterns and wheels. Scrap rubber from tire making can be recycled in some cases. In others the scrap is disposed. Most of the environmental concerns in tire manufacturing are about air emissions and solid waste management. Energy efficiency is particularly important for this sector because almost all processing uses heat.

The most fundamental principle for environmental protection in this industry is the use of recycled tires as a raw material, and the design of tires so they can be easily recycled. Because the volume of waste tires is relatively high in most countries, there are many organizations devoted to tire recycling. Most of the information about environmental protection in this industry is about the products and recycling, and there is little general information about environmental improvements in tire production. The chemical and rubber industries have technical resources and associations that can be used to find detailed technical solutions.

The table below lists solutions to reduce waste and pollution in tire production. Company environmental programs should demonstrate that these options have been considered thoroughly. Direct links to online guides to pollution prevention in these industries follow the table.

Source: Profile of the Rubber and Plastic Industry. US EPA.

Profile of the Rubber and Plastic Industry describes the processes for rubber production, including tires, and recommends pollution prevention strategies and resources.

http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/index.html#rubber

Scrap Tire Management In North Carolina describes the state’s experience in detail.

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01464.pdf

Scrap Tire Recycling is an overview of the issues with a bibliography and contact information.

Paved with good intentions: Beyond burning tires describes many alternatives to disposing of tires.

Tire and Rubber: Best Practices, Fact Sheets and Reports is a major collection of environmental information from the Clean Washington Center

http://www.cwc.org/TirePubs.htm

The Goodyear Corporation Environment, Health and Safety Site has extensive information about Goodyear’s accomplishments in pollution prevention, recycling and other areas such as Environmental Management Systems

Scrap Tires and the Environment from the Rubber Manufacturers Association is an extensive site with many resources.

Tire and Rubber Recycling Advisory Council has many reports available.

ScrapTireNews.Com has many articles about scrap tire management and recycling.

International Tire & Rubber Association

Rubber Manufacturer’s Association

North American Recycled Rubber Association