**3. Scrap tire disposal related problems**

Massive disposal sites of scrap tires is common in many cities of modern times as about 1 scrap tire is produced per person every year. The stored used tires slowly degrade under the effects of solar radiation as well as rusting of steel takes place. Degraded material would slowly contaminate soil and underground water over years. The disposal sites waiting under the sun for extended periods of time might catch on fire either by accident or because of bottles or broken glass focusing sunlight. Tires burn with thick black smoke and heat, quickly spreads over the whole disposal area, and leaves oily residue contaminating the soil. Such fires are difficult to put off and generates significant amount of air pollution.

One of the overseen problems of scrap tire disposal yards is that these areas become breeding places for rodents and mosquitoes. Stagnant water that collects inside tires is a suitable breeding place for mosquitoes. Elimination of scrap tire disposal sites by proper recycling would also have secondary advantages of eliminating disposal related problems.

Recycling of Scrap Tires 199

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)

Fig. 3. Innovative uses of scrap tire (a,b,c) road sublayer stability, (d) tire pieces as fill

material, (e) slope stability, (f) ship bumper at warf.

Fig. 2. Tire production line (Courtesy of PHT, Pam Hsiang Trading Co., Ltd.).
