How do you dispose of the tyres that you are not using? Some people put the tyres in their backyards; others recycle them by using them for kitchen gardens, while others throw them away in landfills. Before you dispose of your tyres, it’s essential to know that the method you use to dispose of your tyres can cause health, environmental and safety hazards. Therefore, you need to learn the proper tyre disposal practices you should implement and how it benefits you and the people around you.
Examples of Proper Tyres Disposal Practices
The following are some of the ways in which you can consider when you want to dispose of your tyres;
- Taking the tyres to tyre recycling facilities
These facilities accept used tyres. They process them to extract the valuable materials steel, fibre and rubber. They then recycle these materials in different applications like road construction, athletic tracks and playground surfaces.
- Hold a tyre collection event
You can hold a tyre collection event where people gather to drop off their used tyres for tyre disposal. These events are held in partnership with waste management companies, local governments and recycling facilities. This encourages responsible tyre disposal methods and prevents people from dumping the tyres illegally.
- Taking the tyres to tyre retailers or auto shops
Most auto shops and retailers offer tyre disposal services to customers buying new tyres. Although there is always an additional fee for the disposal of your tyres, it’s a great tyre disposal practice to consider.
- Creating public awareness and education
Promoting education and raising public awareness of the effects of improper tyre disposal methods is another thing you can do to foster behaviour change and responsible behaviour. Also, conduct educational campaigns on the benefits of proper tyre disposal methods and encourage community members to implement these practices. When you provide information, you will empower them to take action and participate in appropriate tyre disposal methods.
The Importance of Proper Tyres Disposal
When you practice proper tyre disposal methods, you gain in the following ways;
- Environmental impact
It is important to employ eco-friendly tyre disposal solutions. The tyres leach harmful toxins and chemicals into the water and soil, contaminating ecosystems. This also poses a risk to your health. Unused tyres trap water, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which causes health risks.
- Prevent health and safety hazards
Improper tyre disposal methods are not only unsafe for human beings but also for wildlife. When tyres are filled in an illegal landfill, they act as breeding grounds for pests like rats and snakes, increasing disease transmission rates. Also, tyer piles are highly flammable and can ignite any time, causing controlled fires that pose risks to nearby residents and properties. These fires are also challenging to extinguish and release so many chemicals and pollutants in the air, causing health issues and respiratory diseases.
- Resource conservation
Practising proper tyre disposal also contributes to the conservation of resources and sustainable waste management. Used tyres are usually composed of valuable materials like steel, rubber and synthetic fibres, which are all recyclable and used to make new products. This means recycling the used tyres reduces the need for virgin materials, leading to the conservation of natural resources like oil and rubber.
- Economic opportunities
Implementing proper tyre disposal practices creates economic opportunities in the recycling and manufacturing industries. Recycling tyres is also a source of revenue through selling recycled materials like steel, rubber and textile fibres that are later used in various applications.