The Management of Waste Tires

Abstract

In Brazil, manufacturers and importers have to collect and dispose of the same number of tires sold in the aftermarket, according to Conama (National Council of the Environment) Resolution No. 416/09. The current study aims to present a scenario of used tire management, presenting models used by manufacturers and importers, and comparing them with the models used in Japan, the United States, and EU countries. The research was conducted with associations representing recyclers, reformers, and state and federal environmental agencies in Brazil. In addition, research was conducted on tire manufacturers' associations in Japan, the United States, and EU countries. In 2019, 585,390 tons of waste tires were collected and sent to their destinations by tire manufacturers and importers in Brazil. From 1999 to 2020, more than 5.6 million tons of waste tires were collected and properly disposed of, equivalent to 1.1 billion passenger tires. The reuse of waste tires in geotechnical works, civil engineering, garage protection, playgrounds, and other equipment is not considered a final destination in Brazil. Several technologies are used in the USA, Japan, and EU countries, such as burning tires in boilers, using tires in the forging industry, and others, not all of which are used in Brazil. There is no incentive from manufacturers and importers for consumers to participate in the collection and destination of waste tires. The cost of collecting and transporting discarded tires in Brazil, Japan, the United States, and EU countries, regardless of the alternatives, is the greatest difficulty for a definitive solution to disposing of waste tires.