Disposing of Tyres: Recycling for a Sustainable Future

When your tyres reach the end of their service life, responsible disposal is essential. Improper handling not only violates environmental regulations but can also harm ecosystems and waste valuable materials that could otherwise be recycled and reused.

Fast Facts: Correct Tyre Disposal

• 🚫 Illegal to landfill: Dumping old tyres in landfill sites is banned across the European Union and many other regions.

• ♻️ Recycle responsibly: Most tyre dealers will recycle your old tyres when you purchase a new set.

• 🏭 Certified facilities: If your retailer doesn’t offer recycling, contact a certified waste management company to handle disposal safely and legally.

How to Dispose of Tyres Correctly

When replacing tyres, always ensure they are sent to an authorised recycling facility. Certified waste management companies have the technology and processes to break down used tyres in an environmentally compliant manner — recovering valuable raw materials and minimising waste.

In Germany, for example, Continental’s subsidiary Reifen-Entsorgungsgesellschaft mbH (REG) has been recycling tyres since 1992. REG was the first tyre manufacturer-led disposal company in the country and continues to provide recycling services to:

• Tyre retailers and garages

• Industrial rubber processors

• Car dealerships

• Municipal authorities and private customers

Why Tyre Landfilling Is Prohibited

Tyres are banned from landfill sites due to both environmental and safety concerns. When buried:

• They occupy excessive space and trap methane gas, which can cause tyres to become buoyant and rise to the surface.

• This movement may rupture landfill liners, leading to groundwater contamination and other ecological hazards.

Giving Tyres a Second Life

Old tyres are far from useless. Recycled tyres can serve as valuable raw materials for numerous industries:

1. Tyre-Derived Fuel (TDF)

Used by the cement industry, shredded tyres are converted into high-energy fuel. Their calorific value makes them an efficient and sustainable energy source for kiln operations.

2. Material Recycling

The steel and silica from tyres are recovered and reused in manufacturing, while rubber granulate is repurposed for:

• Building materials (insulation and sealing panels)

• Elastic fillers for sports fields and playgrounds

• Rubber powder in road surfacing — improving durability and reducing noise

Continental’s Commitment to Sustainability

At Continental, sustainability is integral to every stage of a tyre’s life cycle — from design and production to use and recycling.

Key innovations include:

• ContiLifeCycle plant: A pioneering process that retreads end-of-life truck tyres and simultaneously recovers waste rubber for reuse in production.

• Eco-optimised tyres for hybrid and electric vehicles: Delivering up to 30% lower rolling resistance without compromising safety — achieving EU Tyre Label “A” ratings for both efficiency and wet braking.

• Dandelion rubber project: In collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Continental is developing natural latex from dandelion roots as a sustainable alternative to rainforest rubber.

The Environmental Benefits of Dandelion Rubber

This innovative approach offers numerous advantages:

• 🌿 Reduced CO₂ emissions through shorter transport distances.

• 🌳 Less deforestation, reducing dependence on tropical rubber plantations.

• 💶 Stable raw material prices by producing rubber locally in Europe.

Up to 30% of a standard car tyre’s rubber originates from the Hevea brasiliensis tree — making alternative sources like dandelion latex a major step toward a more sustainable tyre industry.

Summary

✅ Tyres should never be sent to landfill.
✅ Always choose certified recycling or retailer take-back schemes.
✅ Recycled materials can become fuel, insulation, sports surfaces, or road asphalt.
✅ Continental continues to lead in sustainable tyre technology and closed-loop recycling systems.

Responsible tyre disposal doesn’t just protect the environment — it contributes to a circular economy that keeps valuable materials in use for years to come.