Why you shouldn’t burn tyres

Many vehicle owners solve the problem of disposing of worn tires simply by burning them. But burning car tires is dangerous for the environment and human health. This practice must be abandoned. Today, various safe recycling methods are available that allow tires to be disposed of without risk to the environment.

Why people still burn tires

Despite the fact that the danger of burning tires is regularly raised in society, the problem remains relevant. Moreover, the reasons why people continue to burn rubber are very diverse:

1. Quick waste disposal. Burning is the simplest, albeit illegal, method of getting rid of end-of-life car tires. Moreover, it is accessible and requires no disposal costs.
2. Heating. Tires contain many petroleum products, which burn for a long time and release a lot of thermal energy. For this reason, they are used as fuel or for lighting home furnaces.
3. Protests. Setting tires on fire is a common way to draw attention to protests.
4. Easter tradition. It exists in some regions. Burning tires is used as an alternative to wood bonfires, which in ancient times were a symbol of light, the path, and protection from evil spirits.

At the same time, regardless of the reason, the process of burning tires is accompanied by a dangerous reaction of decomposition into toxic substances and their release into the environment along with combustion products.

Physical features of the car tire burning process

The opinion that a tire is just rubber is mistaken. In fact, car tires are made of complex composite materials containing over 120 different substances. Therefore, when burned, they do not just melt; physicochemical processes are triggered that are extremely difficult to control. To understand how tires burn, here are a few facts:

• the burning temperature of tires can reach 1000 degrees Celsius and above. Under such thermal exposure, the cord (metal wire) inside the tire glows red-hot, which keeps the fire burning from the inside;
• during intense heating, the material turns into a combustible viscous liquid resembling fuel oil. It spreads, increasing the burning area, and also seeps into the soil, poisoning it;
• when burned, pyrolysis is triggered. This process continues even if the flame is knocked down. Combustible gases are released inside the tire, which have the property of reigniting upon contact with oxygen.

Also, during the burning of car tires, smoke is released containing volatile compounds and waste that have a toxic effect. Their composition includes substances dangerous to nature and humans:

• pyrene (belongs to hazard class 1 substances);
• phenanthrene (class 2, has carcinogenicity when it enters muscle tissues);
• anthracene (carcinogen);
• naphthalene (carcinogen, causes mutations);
• fluorene (carcinogen);
• acenaphthylene and acenaphthene (carcinogens);
• dibenzanthracene and benzopyrene (particularly dangerous carcinogens), etc.

The danger also lies in the fact that the process of burning tires is difficult to stop, since they contain petroleum products – highly flammable substances.

Consequences of burning tires

The opinion that the main danger of the process lies in the formation of acrid smoke and that once it dissipates, the harm will pass is mistaken. Burning tires triggers the process of releasing dangerous substances. Thus, when burning 1 ton of tires, up to 450 kg of toxic gases and 270 kg of soot are released. This «cocktail» contains substances dangerous to life and nature:

• benzopyrene – one of the most powerful carcinogens, which has the property of accumulating in the body;
• furfural and phenols. These substances affect the mucous membranes and the central nervous system;
• dioxins – these are components that suppress the immune system and cause mutations in the body.

In addition, combustion releases waste that pollutes the environment. Among them are heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium. They settle in the lungs and on the soil, exerting a poisonous effect.

In addition to environmental pollution and danger to humans, burning tires also entails administrative liability – a fine. Moreover, such punishment is in effect not only in Ukraine but also in EU countries and applies to both officials and citizens. In case of serious environmental consequences, criminal liability is even provided for.

To avoid risks and at the same time not create risks for nature, it is worth abandoning the burning of tires. Including for the purpose of disposing of unnecessary end-of-life materials. Today, there are effective solutions that are safe for the environment.

The right alternative to burning tires

Today, tire disposal is one of the popular areas in the industry, which ensures the safe disposal of end-of-life rubber. It is carried out in various ways:

1. Recycling. This method is aimed at disposal without the use of complex physicochemical technologies. It is based on material crushing. Car tires are crushed into crumb, which is used for covering sports and children's playgrounds, manufacturing new parts for cars and shoe soles.
2. Pyrolysis. This is the process of decomposing car tires under the influence of high temperature without access to oxygen. As a result, gas, synthetic fuel, and carbon black are formed. These resources are reused in production.

Thus, old tires can be disposed of legally and safely, reducing the burden on the environment and minimizing risks to humans and ecology. They are accepted at waste recycling centers, where anyone can drop off tires.

The GREENWIN company is opening such centers in different regions of the country, thereby making the disposal process accessible to residents of all Ukraine. At the same time, end-of-life tires are turned into resources for reuse.