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Circular Solutions for Rubber Tracks: How rubber tracks keep coming back around

Rubber tracks from diggers, loaders, and tracked equipment eventually reach the end of their life, typically after 6,000 to 12,000 working hours. The disposal of rubber tracks has traditionally been difficult, costly, and associated with various environmental challenges.  

Why should we recycle and reuse tracks? 

As rubber tracks are non-biodegradable, they take up a lot of space and can contaminate surrounding soils and water due to their chemical and heavy metal composition. This leaching poses a threat to wildlife and if it was to enter drinking water supplies, humans too. Burning the rubber tracks is also another common practice, which releases toxic pollutants such as carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, contributing to air pollution. 

Recognising the issue, the EU Landfill Directive made it illegal in 2006 to dispose of rubber tracks in landfill, highlighting the need for alternative methods of disposal. Fortunately, there are now many ways of recycling the tracks and transforming end-of-life materials into valuable new resources. These methods are gaining traction and here are just some of the ways old rubber tracks can be used: 

Crumb Rubber: ​ 

Crumb rubber is just as the name suggests – shredded rubber ground down into small particles that can be used for various applications. 

The tracks are cleaned before being processed by granulators and shredders. Once shredded, any other materials that aren’t rubber, such as metals, are removed. The crumb product can be then further ground down if required and sorted by size. 

This crumb rubber result has versatile properties and is suitable for a wide range of applications, such as: 

  • Landscaping: The crumb rubber can be processed further into finer rubber mulch to be used in landscaping. The mulch can suppress the growth of weeds, retain moisture, and keep soil both cool and warm depending on the season. 
  • Road Construction and Repair: When combined with asphalt, crumb rubber can be turned into rubberised asphalt for road construction and repairs. This mixture improves durability, reduces cracking, and the formation of potholes, and extends road lifespan. 
  • Sports Surfaces and Flooring Material: Crumb rubber is great for sports surfaces, such as running tracks, football pitches, and tennis courts. Because of the shock absorption these surfaces offer, it reduces the risk of injuries for athletes. It can also be used for indoor flooring, such as in gyms and garages as it provides good insulation and noise reduction. 
  • Equestrian Arenas: The soft, cushioning properties make it ideal for equestrian arenas, helping to reduce the risk of injuries for both horse and rider. 

These are just a few of the opportunities to reuse the rubber physically. Alternatively, the shredded rubber can also be used for energy production… 

Tyre-Derived Fuel (TDF): ​ 

Shredded rubber can be repurposed as an alternative fuel for cement kilns, pulp mills, and other heavy industries, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. TDF has a high energy content, producing more heat than coal, along with a lower ash content and no mercury produced when burnt. For these reasons, TDF holds many benefits, making it an attractive and more circular fuel option. 

 

How can Reconomy Connect help? 

Reconomy Connect now offers a dedicated recycling solution for rubber tracks. Tracks are collected nationwide via our pallet network, processed to recover valuable materials, and transformed into sustainable products.  

Get in touch today to make an enquiry or find out more: 

0800 028 2290 

housebuilding@reconomy.com | constructioninfrastructure@reconomy.com