Scrap Tires Shredding:
 

In West Bank, approximately one million waste tires are generated annually. Waste tires that are illegally dumped or improperly stored which can pose a serious threat to public health and safety, as well as to the environment. The result can be urban blight and significant costs to residents. Waste tires can serve as a nesting area for pests and a breeding ground for mosquitoes which can spread encephalitis and other illnesses. Waste tires can also catch fire and release toxic smoke. In West Bank and Gaza there are no plans or action aiming to reduce or eliminate the accumulated waste Tires problem.

Roads and Environment Safety Center has many experiences dealing with of waste tires, it have been constructed more than 18 playing areas using waste tires as playing models, construction of 3 of these playing areas were funded by GEF, these playing areas considered to be successful projects in finding short run solutions for waste tires problem in West Bank and Gaza.

Day after day the problem of waste tires become more and more threatening especially for the absence of laws and regulation that limits this problem, in addition to lack of knowledge about ways in which we can reuse and/or recycle waste tires. This study will support GEF’s strategies about “Climate change & non degradable Pollutants” (Focal Area). Also “Promote Dissemination of Accessible, sustainable, climate-friendly technologies and measures” (Objectives).

Can shredding be a feasible solution for accumulated waste tires?

Tire shredding is a mature technology. Tires are first shredded, cut into chunks approximately 5 cm long. These tire chips are often then fed through a series of granulators which reduce the chips further, often down to about 1 cm across.

Tire shredding is often performed on the site of a large tire dump. Shredding reduces the volume of a tire by 75 percent, reducing storage and shipping costs. This process also loosens steel and fibers from the rubber. Steel is lifted out with magnets. The fibers are shaken or blown out of the granulated rubber.

The study is expected to answer this question, according to RESC’s knowledge in the field of Tires reuse, shredding is considered an applicable option but it’s not known if it is feasible or not, this what the study will answer. From theoretical point of view shredding will be good option because it will help in:

• Minimize the problems resulting from accumulated waste tires by shredding and reuse the waste tires.

•  Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites, this will reduce the hazards resulted from waste tires.

• Help municipalities and industries deal with the problem of discarded tires.

• Create new job opportunities for local community members in both recycling and shredding operations and tires collecting. Also tires crump will open new industries.

• Applying the shredded tires as a safety layers under the playing tools instead of using sand and small crushed stones.

 The Tire Recycling Process

Managing tires in the waste stream falls into three distinct phases: collection, processing, and end use.

1- Collection

Collection presents the first challenge to dealing with tires. Collection is ongoing and is primarily the responsibility of tire dealers. Registered private haulers transport discarded tires to crumb rubber producers or other facilities for end use or disposal. Nevertheless, many tires may not get collected and are illegally dumped. A local government may conduct an ongoing collection program, a one-time collection day event, an illegal pile cleanup, or a community cleanup program.

2- Processing

The second stage of the tire recycling process is shredding of scrap tires. The tire shredding process involves the use of large machinery that cuts up tires into small pieces (one to two inch and larger). At this stage, tire shred can be used for a variety of civil engineering projects (e.g. lightweight fill material for highway projects or leachate collection material for new landfill cells), or it can be used as feedstock for the production of crumb (second stage of recycling).

The second stage of the process is crumbing. During this stage, machinery is used to remove the steel and fiber from the shred, by grinding the material into fine pieces. The steel is removed by magnets, with the fiber removed by aspiration. At this stage, crumb can be used for a variety of loose applications, including top dressing for sports fields (it protects the crown or growth layer of grass), as a replacement for sand in playgrounds (outperforms sand three to one), or it can be used as a feedstock for the production of manufactured products.

3- End Uses/Markets

New uses for old tires are providing some creative ways to reduce waste, cut costs, and improve the quality and safety of public works projects. The potential uses for waste tires are endless. The cost-effectiveness and the state of development for end use markets vary considerably.

Rubber reclaimed from the tires may be used as filler in the making of rubberized asphalt or to make stable and rubber mats. Rubber reclaimed from tires may also be used as fuel for high energy users such as cement plants.

Because is Palestine we don’t have a variety of industries, the main reuse option for the waste tires will be using them as a replacement for sand in playgrounds.

  Crumb  and Playgrounds

 Crumb (fine shredded tires) can be used under playground equipment, primarily as a safety cushion. Crumb provides approximately 275 percent more cushioning effect from falls compared to typical playground surfaces.

Why to used crump in playgrounds (playing area)?

1-      Reduces Dust and Mud

2-      Provides a Soft Landing Pad for Kids

3-      Non-Toxic, Non-Staining

4-      Preferred to Mulch, Sand or Grass

Some Pictures of using crumb in the playing areas….