(NOT) Eco-Friendly Tires

July 31, 2024 - If you’re in the market to purchase a set of new tires for your vehicle and you’ve heard that you can help the planet by buying Eco-Friendly Tires - WARNING - chances are they are not eco-friendly tires.  False Advertising.

A new study was just released and found that eco-friendly tires contain the same levels of metals, chemical compounds, and similar types of rubber as conventional tires.  Some tire manufacturers claim their tires are “eco-friendly,” “sustainable,” and “green” but the report found no significant difference in their chemical compositions versus regular tires (winter or all-season).  So, what does that mean….

Plastic particles released by tires are one of the primary sources of microplastics pollution.  Tires generate 6 million tons of particles globally every year of which 200,000 tons end up in oceans.  Some green tire manufacturers say their product improves fuel consumption and their manufacturing process reduces CO2 emission, but the chemical composition is still harmful to our environment. 

I highly recommend that third party independent organizations, like “B Corp Certification”, conduct studies on eco-friendly tire manufacturers to determine their eco-friendly impact and what a tire manufacturer can and must do to be ‘Net Zero Carbon Emissions’ now and in the future.

Recycle Tires –   Buying an eco-friendly tire isn’t a solution but when you do plan to buy tires ask the tire store what they will do with your old tires.  If they say that your tires will be ‘Recycled and Repurposed’ then buy your tires from them.  Tires can be recycled and repurposed by being shredded and used in various applications such as asphalt modification, playground surfaces or as fuel in specific industrial processes.

The good news is we can and should recycle tires.  Tire manufacturers must find alternative chemical solutions to be able to claim their tires are green and eco-friendly from production to disposal. Until then, they should hold off on the false claims.

Paul Bolté
ecoMVMNT - Founder

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