Agricultural operations regularly generate a significant amount of used tires, ranging from large-volume tractor and trailer tires to tires that have been used for years as silage ballast. Crucially, for sustainable recycling, these tires must be disposed of or collected by certified waste management companies. Only then will they enter the designated recycling and recovery channels and be treated in an environmentally sound manner.

One possible recycling method is retreading. In this process, the worn tread of suitable tires is replaced, while the load-bearing carcass continues to be used. However, this is only possible to a limited extent in the agricultural sector. In some cases, particularly large-volume agricultural tractor tires are suitable for retreading – provided their technical condition allows it. Especially with these large dimensions, raw materials and energy can be significantly saved compared to new tire production, and CO₂ emissions can be reduced.

Tires that have been used for extended periods as silage ballast, however, often represent a special case. Due to weathering and contamination with soil, stones, or organic material, they are generally neither retreadable nor suitable for high-quality material recycling. In many cases, energy recovery remains the only option. Therefore, it is all the more important to dispose of used tires properly as early as possible so that they can still be recycled to a high standard.

Non-retreadable tires are mechanically recycled where technically feasible. In this process, the rubber and steel are separated and used as secondary raw materials, for example, in road construction or in technical rubber products. Certified waste management companies inspect each tire and determine the most ecologically and technically sound recycling method.

Used tires are considered waste and are subject to legal regulations. Handing them over to certified waste disposal companies provides legal certainty for agricultural businesses and ensures that the tires are properly recycled. More information is available at [website address - please insert if known]. ZARE website Businesses can easily submit disposal requests and find suitable partners in their region.