Identifying LCA-elements in scrap tire recycling

Abstract

Scrap tire recycling is presented in this paper with LCA-elements identified for further investigation. Life cycle thinking is applied to the life cycle of scrap tires because not much data is available for the recycling of scrap tires. The scrap tires discussed in this paper are provided as raw material input, and the output is shown as different products, such as retreaded tires, crumb rubber, artificial turf energy recovery and many others. The environmental impacts are focussed on the climate change, in particular on CO2-emissions. The potential to reduce the emissions that support environment-friendly recycling techniques will also be presented. Thermodynamic fundamentals are introduced to set the path for the next phase of the study, where analytical and numerical models based on finite element method (FEM) computer calculations can be performed.