What Happens to Old Tires? A Step-by-Step Process of Tire Recycling in NJ

Old tires are one of the most challenging waste materials to manage. They take up significant space in landfills, do not decompose naturally, and can pose environmental and safety risks if improperly disposed of. In New Jersey, tire recycling plays a critical role in keeping these materials out of landfills while turning them into valuable resources.

Understanding what happens to old tires after they are collected helps residents, contractors, and businesses make informed decisions about responsible disposal. Below is a step-by-step look at how tire recycling in NJ works and why it matters.

Step 1: Tire Collection and Acceptance

The tire recycling process begins when used tires are delivered to a permitted recycling facility. Tires may come from automotive shops, construction projects, municipal collections, or commercial operations.

At intake, tires are inspected to ensure they meet acceptance requirements. This step helps maintain safe processing standards and ensures the material can be recycled effectively.

Step 2: Sorting and Preparation

Once accepted, tires are sorted based on size and type. Passenger vehicle tires, truck tires, and large equipment tires may be processed differently due to their structure and material composition.

During preparation, tires are staged for processing and moved into the recycling system where they can be safely broken down.

Step 3: Shredding and Size Reduction

Tires are fed into industrial shredders that break them into smaller pieces. This process reduces the volume of material and prepares it for further separation.

Shredding is a key step that makes it possible to recover reusable components while minimizing environmental impact.

Step 4: Material Separation

After shredding, the tire material is separated into its core components.

• Rubber is isolated for reuse
  
• Steel is removed and recovered for metal recycling
  
• Fiber materials are separated where applicable
  

This separation process ensures that each material stream can be repurposed efficiently.

Step 5: Repurposing Recycled Tire Materials

Recycled tire materials are used in a wide range of applications, including:

• Playground surfaces
  
• Rubberized asphalt
  
• Construction and landscaping products
  
• Fuel alternatives for industrial use
  

By repurposing tires into new products, recycling facilities help reduce demand for virgin materials and support sustainability initiatives.

Environmental Benefits of Tire Recycling in NJ

Recycling tires offers several important environmental advantages:

• Reduces landfill volume
  
• Prevents illegal dumping
  
• Lowers fire risk from tire stockpiles
  
• Conserves natural resources
  
• Supports sustainable waste recycling practices
  

Tire recycling is a vital part of New Jersey’s environmental protection efforts.

Old tires do not have to become long-term environmental hazards. Through a structured recycling process, these materials can be transformed into useful products that support infrastructure, safety, and sustainability. Tire recycling in NJ plays a crucial role in responsible waste management and helps keep communities cleaner and safer.

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