The Environmental Impact of Tire Wear and How to Manage It
Frequent commercial tire replacement due to increased wear contributes to waste generation that can negatively impact the environment. Tires are made of natural and synthetic rubber, copper, zinc, cadmium and other materials that are harmful to humans and nature if they’re not properly disposed of or recycled.
How Commercial Truck Tire Wear Contributes to Pollution
Tires are a major source of microplastics. Those tiny pieces of rubber and plastic get into the air, soil and water as tires break down, even while they’re in use. Those particles collect in soil and groundwater, which eventually drain into lakes, rivers and oceans where marine animals can ingest them.
Heavy travel also releases those microplastics into the air. Four tires emit trillions of particles that can enter your lung tissue and bloodstream as you inhale. That includes trace amounts of heavy metals and chemicals that contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory issues.
Factors That Accelerate Tire Wear
Underinflation: Improperly inflated tires increase heat buildup, rolling resistance and wear and tear, accelerating breakdown and requiring more frequent replacement.
Poor driving habits: Speeding, heavy braking and cornering will put your commercial tires through the wringer. It’s important to instill and enforce safe driving skills to prevent premature tread wear.
Overloading: Exceeding the recommended load limit for your commercial tires can cause irregular wear patterns and heat buildup, increasing your risk for tire failure.
Lack of maintenance: Neglecting tire inspections, balancing and rotations reduces the service life of your tires.
Road conditions: Potholes and debris can result in damage and punctures that put your tires out of commission. Frequently driving over hot pavement also softens the rubber, increasing the rate of degradation.
Effects of Improper Tire Disposal
Soil quality: Tires contain toxic chemicals including lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can leach into the soil if discarded improperly. Those materials alter the nutrient levels in the soil, affecting plant and animal life.
Water contamination: As tire chemicals soak into the soil, they may reach groundwater that drains into other bodies of water. Rain can also wash rubber and plastic particles into storm drains and create toxic runoff that’s dangerous for humans and agriculture.
Air pollution: Tires are highly flammable and may burn for days or weeks, releasing carcinogens and particulate matter into the air. They also emit ozone and methane when left in the sun.
Landfill use: Due to their irregular shape, tires can take up lots of space in landfills and require monitoring and management if they’re buried in the ground.
Pests: The circular shape of a tire allows them to collect rainwater, making a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes that may carry malaria and West Nile Virus. They also make great shelters for rodents and other pests that carry diseases, too.
Tire Recycling Methods
Commercial tire materials are recyclable and can be used for various applications, including:
- Tire-derived fuel for power plants
- Crumb rubber for turf, playgrounds and road embankments
- Pyrolysis for biofuels and new rubber products
- Retreading to extend the tire service life
Properly recycling commercial tires reduces the amount of waste in landfills and decreases resource consumption to protect the environment.
Best Practices to Minimize Tire Wear
- Check your tire pressure during your pre- and post-trip inspections and adjust according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles in the correct pattern based on your tire type.
- Schedule regular wheel alignments and balances to prevent uneven tread wear and reduce vibrations while driving.
- Select the right tires based on road conditions and position.
- Be mindful of load distribution and avoid overloading your tires.
- Store off-season tires properly to prevent unnecessary wear.
- Retread your commercial tires when possible.
Taking Steps to Reduce Your Fleet’s Tire Footprint
Bauer Built specializes in high-quality commercial retread tires. Our nine-step process is designed to produce safe and reliable retread tires that can help you reduce your environmental impact and protect your bottom line. Contact one of our retread locations across the Midwest to schedule service.
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