What to Do with Used Tyres in the UK

When you feel it is time to change your car tyres, you will tend to have a set of used tyres that you may want to dispose of.

Having anything that you don’t have use of anymore can be a burden to have lying around, taking up space no matter where you decide to store them. When it comes to tyres, however, there are many things to do with them once they’ve been used.

What can you do with used tyres you ask? That is what we will be covering here today.

How to Dispose of Old Tyres Legally

Tyres are predominantly made of rubber, either natural or synthetic, along with other components like steel wires and fabric. These materials are not biodegradable, meaning they do not break down easily in the environment.

Tyre recycling involves shredding the tyres into small pieces to be used in various applications, such as playground surfaces, or as fuel in certain industrial processes.

Tyre disposal specialists have the expertise and equipment to handle and process tyres correctly. They ensure that the tyres are disposed of or recycled in compliance with environmental regulations and standards.

Recycling tyres allows the recovery of valuable materials. Tyres/wheels contain rubber, steel, and fibre that can be extracted and reused. For instance, crumb rubber from recycled tyres is used in playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and as a component in road construction.

Another thing to note is many places have strict regulations regarding tyre disposal to protect the environment and public health.

If you are wanting to know where tyre recycling centres are located, visit Recycle Now and enter your postcode to find one near you.

Can You Throw Tyres Away in the UK?

No - tyres cannot be disposed of in regular household waste or landfill. They must be taken to authorised recycling centres or tyre specialists to ensure proper environmental handling.

Why Tyre Recycling Is Important

Tyres are not biodegradable and can harm the environment if disposed of incorrectly. Recycling helps reduce landfill waste and allows materials like rubber and steel to be reused in construction, sports surfaces, and manufacturing.