What Can Be Done with Junk Rubber Tires

[MikePhua]

Discarded rubber tires from heavy equipment pose serious environmental and logistical challenges, but they also offer surprising opportunities for reuse, recycling, and profit. Whether dealing with bias-ply loader tires or massive OTR casings, the key is understanding disposal pathways and material recovery options.
Tire Composition and Disposal Complexity
Heavy equipment tires are engineered for durability, often weighing hundreds of kilograms and built with multiple layers of vulcanized rubber, steel belts, and synthetic compounds. Unlike passenger car tires, these off-the-road (OTR) tires resist degradation and can take over 500 years to decompose in landfills. Improper disposal risks leaching chemicals into groundwater and creating fire hazards due to their flammability.
Terminology and Material Breakdown

• OTR Tires: Off-the-road tires used in mining, construction, and agriculture. Typically bias-ply or radial.
  
• Shredding: Mechanical process of cutting tires into smaller pieces for easier handling and recycling.
  
• Crumb Rubber: Fine granulated rubber produced from shredded tires, used in paving, turf, and molded products.
  
• Pyrolysis: Thermal decomposition of tires in the absence of oxygen to recover oil, gas, and carbon black.
  
• Retreading: Process of replacing the worn tread on a used tire casing, extending its service life.
  

Recycling and Repurposing Options

• Tire Shredding Facilities: Convert junk tires into chips or crumb rubber for use in asphalt, playground surfaces, and molded goods.
  
• Construction Applications:
  • Road base and fill material
    
  • Drainage layers in civil engineering
    
  • Vibration dampening in building foundations
    
  • Thermal insulation in walls and flooring
    
• Agricultural Use:
  • Silage covers
    
  • Livestock feeders
    
  • Erosion control barriers
    
• Creative Repurposing:
  

• Retaining walls using stacked tires
  
• Dock bumpers and fenders
  
• Planters and landscaping features
  

A contractor in Alberta reported using old loader tires as impact barriers around a gravel pit. Another operator in Georgia converted a stack of 20.5x25s into a retaining wall for a slope stabilization project, saving on concrete and disposal fees.
Economic and Regulatory Considerations

• Tipping Fees: Disposal costs range from $50 to $200 per ton depending on region and tire type.
  
• Recycling Incentives: Some provinces and states offer rebates or credits for tire recycling through registered programs.
  
• Transport Logistics: OTR tires require specialized handling and may exceed standard trailer dimensions.
  
• Legal Compliance: Dumping tires illegally can result in fines and environmental penalties.
  

Recommended Strategies for Fleet Managers

• Partner with certified recyclers who handle OTR tires and offer documentation.
  
• Track tire inventory and disposal history to support audits and sustainability reporting.
  
• Explore resale or retread options for casings with minimal damage.
  
• Invest in on-site shredding equipment if tire volume is high and local disposal is limited.
  
• Educate operators on proper tire handling and storage to prevent premature damage.
  

Conclusion
Junk rubber tires from heavy equipment are not just waste—they’re a resource waiting to be reclaimed. Through recycling, repurposing, and strategic partnerships, contractors and fleet managers can reduce environmental impact, cut costs, and even generate revenue. The key is treating tire disposal as part of the operational lifecycle, not an afterthought.