Tyres an environmentally sustainable resource?

Abstract

Having a significant interest in waste disposal, I focused on the significant issues relating to the disposal of “waste” tyres. During my research I read papers produced by Mike Winter and JD Simms, who are both leading researchers in the field of the use of PAS 108 tyre bale, which is suitable for civil engineering projects. This together with other case studies have shown tyre bales are a valuable resource suitable for many different civil engineering projects, such as drainage in earthworks, in sea defences and bank protection. Other research undertaken by Ganjian et al., (2009) (1), looked into mixing rubber crumb into concrete - used in the State of California. This method could reduce cost, thereby offering an effective solution for the utilities industry, in the maintenance of services. Moreover, he confirmed that studies into rubber crumb derived from recycled tyres should be considered as non-hazardous waste. This report investigates Civil Engineering application and methodologies of using tyre bales, as a sustainable construction material with the add benefits reducing the carbon foot print of any given highway project by reducing the direct and indirect CO2 emissions generated or trade-offs, such a potential risk of fire.