Fuel in cement kilns, boilers and tire-derived fuel oil to supplement coal. Tire-derived fuel refers to shredded tires in the form of rubber chips that are burned with coal in utility type coal fired boilers. Cut and punched tires are used to make items such as belts, gaskets, muffler hangers and agricultural-related tires. Newer uses include polymer-treated rubber powder used for carpet backing or underlay, roofing and other molded items. In preparing tires for markets, scrap tires may be chopped, shredded or ground.
Shredded tires are typically cheaper to transport than whole tires.
Costs included in getting tires to a market include the cost of transportation, labor, and shredding which is approximately .50 to .90 cents per tire. Scrap tires make up about 1 percent of municipal solid waste. The McGraw-Hill recycling handbook. Inc. Tire Tires Need Special Care. Ginger Stewart, Nebraska State Recycling Association.