Why Tyre Pyrolysis Is A Major Threat to the Environment?

There is a lot of debate over global warming. Younger generations are coming forward and are raising concerns over the rising temperature. Recently, the Climate Change Strike picked up momentum as more than 2 million people skipped school and workplace to show their disagreement towards decision-makers urging them to urgently take some initiative to control the causes of climate change. This has escalated the issue and companies from all across the globe are coming up with robust solutions to control the rising temperature, one of which is waste tyre pyrolysis.

Tyre recycling is one of the most difficult activities. The tyre is non-biodegradable and is highly durable, looking at its usage. In many countries waste tyre pyrolysis is a process with an aim to break it down and use the by-products in the most efficient way, thus reducing any climatic repercussions. However, despite various attempts, it is contributing to global warming, which has raised the concern. Now, let’s understand how waste tyre pyrolysis is harmful to nature and what can be done.

Waste tyre pyrolysis is basically a process of breaking down the component of the tyre through thermal power. Now, since it is just the process to break down the tyre, the manufacturers feel the entire pressure. It entirely depends on how the tyre was made and what were the raw materials. Let’s understand this by an example.

When you make a dish, you need fresh ingredients; Anything rotten would alter the final product no matter how much you try to make it taste better. Likewise, the first product used during the manufacturing of tyre will impact the waste tyre pyrolysis. So, even if the process is carried out well, the kind of tyre will make a huge impact.

The tyre pyrolysis process –

Pyrolysis of scrap tyres involves heating these tyres in an oxygen-free environment to temperatures up to 450-500 * Celcius and above. In the reactor, the rubber is softened which in turn disintegrate into smaller molecules which eventually vaporize and exit the reactor. These vapours can either be condensed to form pyrolysis oil or bio-oil or it can be burned directly to produce power. Some molecules which are too small, remain as the gas that can be burned as fuel. About 40% of the total weight of the tyre is removed as a solid. If performed correctly, tyre pyrolysis is a very clean operation and has nearly no emissions or waste.

Other Ways Waste Tyre Impact Nature –

Leaching – Tyre is made of harmful chemicals and metals, which when disposed of badly can contaminate the surrounding. Leaching is basically a process where waste tyres leach these chemicals into the environment as they disintegrate. Some of the identified chemicals are mutagenic and carcinogenic. They contaminate the surrounding soil and water and make them toxic for vegetation or animals hence risking the life of the population in the area.

Landfill overcrowding – At some places old tyre is used to cover the garbage landfill. Since tyres are durable, they’re considered the best material to fill the garbage landfill and cover them up. However, these are not good practice as they can easily catch fire. When tyre burns, they emit poisonous smoke, which when combined with the air can contaminate a wider area. This is why many nations have banned the disposal of tyres in an open landfill and have put a process together for it.

Fire – As already mentioned that tyre is made up of heavy metals and harmful chemicals. They’re prone to fire as well. When they burn, they emit harmful black smoke that later contaminates the surrounding areas. Besides, they can burn for a longer period causing serious damage to the environment. In waste tyre pyrolysis, the waste tyre is used as fuel generation.

Breeding Point for Pest – Tyre is durable and has a long life. The waste tyre is a threat to the environment if they’re not recycled or disposed of smartly. Thrown away tyre can be a breeding point for pests or mosquitoes. These, if ignored, can increase the risk of vector-borne diseases. Thus, proper disposal of waste is a must.

Ways to recycle waste tyre –

Waste tyre pyrolysis is one way to dispose of an old tyre. However, apart from that, there are other ways to use waste tyre. The durability of the tyre should be kept in mind before making the most of the waste tyre. Let’s quickly have a look at various ways to reuse the old tyre and prevent its harmful effects through waste tyre pyrolysis.

• Repurpose – There are various DIY videos flooded on the Internet showing multiple ways to use an old tyre as decoration or furniture. The furniture is durable and will be great in the house. An old tyre can also be used as training equipment for athletic programs, such as American football. Farmers can use the tyre as water troughs for cattle.
• Road Material – Roads made from shredded tyres are durable and better than the usual ones. Michelin has replaced roads of Yellowstone from asphalt to shredded old tyres. With such reusability of the old tyre, roads can be made stronger and durable for longer periods.
• Daily Use products – An old tyre can be recycled to create daily used items, like slippers or flip flops or staircase or kid’s castle or anything you wish. These objects will have a longer life and will be durable thus saving a lot of money and protecting nature from any harmful effects of an old tyre.
• Swings – Kids love swings but the only challenge comes across parents when they want to have durable and easy-to-make swings. Repurposing tyre can be the best solution. There are various DIY videos that teach you how to make these tyre swings.

Waste tyre pyrolysis is looked upon as the only solution to old and waste tyre. However, the process is harmful to nature in various ways. As mentioned, the quality of the tyre matters despite keeping the process under check and the gases that are produced in the process can be harmful to people, animals, and plants around. Thus, we must look for a suitable and economical way to repurpose the old tyre by creating beautiful decorative or daily use objects.