Scrap Tires in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Scrap tires are considered a solid waste that is currently overpopulating storage facilities; tire shops, and illegal dumping sites in Puerto Rico. These tires present unusual disposal problems due to their physical and chemical characteristics. Characteristics that make a new tire desirable, such as durability and performance, make it difficult to dispose. Tire production uses a series of techniques that incorporates different raw materials (metals, rubber, carbon black), which make the tire immune to biodegradation. These characteristics have consequences on the type of disposal they may have. Environmental impacts are a fact due to the classification of a scrap tire as a special solid waste. The following proposed facility will treat scrap tires and all its components. Scrap tires are mainly composed of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, metals, and small fractions of specific fibers and textiles. Increasing amounts of scrap tires in Puerto Rico must be addressed. This Facility will provide a designed alternative that will help reduce the high number of scrap tires in the island.