The new life of end-of-life tires

Many people think that electric cars are the ultimate cure-all for pollution. Recently, however, environmental organisations in Germany have proposed banning almost all motor vehicles from Berlin, including electric cars, whose use they believe should be restricted. Why? Because electric engines do nothing against tyre pollution. Vulcanised rubber often becomes landfill material and takes centuries to decay naturally. Moreover, in many parts of the world, used tyres, are abandoned or thrown into the sea instead of being disposed of properly and legally. In Italy there is an organisation that collects them and gives them a new life.

PFU Zero

PFU Zero is an association that has been active in Italy since 2014, born from the cooperation between Ecotyre and Marevivo, which works with municipal administrations, Port Authorities and the management of marine protected areas, to recover used tyres on land and at sea. The tyres are collected for free, without asking any contribution from the municipalities where they are found. In addition to freeing the natural ecosystems from this particular type of waste, PFU Zero also raises awareness on this issue and invites those who need to dispose of tyres to do so in accordance with the law, respecting the environment.

The risks of tyre pollution

Tyres are among the most common plastic-based pollutants in the world and cause serious damage to the environment even before they are discarded. The use of car tyres releases plastic micro-particles into the atmosphere, which almost always end up in the oceans, posing a serious health risk to marine ecosystems and also to humans, as they are introduced into our food chain.

Recycling tyres

Not many people know that tyres are fully recyclable and can be used to create new materials in a sustainable way. This means that potentially hazardous waste can be incorporated into a perfect circular economy. Recovered tyres are shredded and turned into rubber granules, which are then further broken down into sand-like particles that can be used to produce sports equipment, asphalt additives that make it more draining and less noisy, artificial grass for football pitches, flooring for athletics tracks and soundproofing materials. All these products, which normally require the extraction of new raw materials, can therefore be made in a more sustainable way, reducing waste.