Recycled Tires: Good for the Environment, But Are They Good for You?
Research is currently being conducted into whether the use of recycled tires can reduce the incidence of car accidents. The situation is urgent. Statistics show that the traffic fatality rate in Tampa is 12.6 per 100,000, higher than the national average. These numbers have encouraged suppliers to explore the benefits of recreating tires. The goal is that recycled tires can be mass produced without producers having to sacrifice the overall quality of each individual tire.
Processing Recycled Tires
It is anticipated that, in the near future, nearly 30 million scrap tires will be collected annually from multiple landfills and reused for valuable commodities. In most cases, reclaimed rubber is ground up and reprocessed, making it less prone to cracking. This technique is known for improving the product’s overall performance. What does this mean for you, the driver?
Driving with recycled rubber has advantages and disadvantages. One of the biggest advantages is cost efficiency. The advantage of recycling tires is the reduction of conservation and replacement costs. Because reprocessed tires tend to cost less, you would have more flexibility in pursuing purchases of other features, such as tire protectant to prevent cracking, that would extend the life of your tires. It is also recommended to have your mechanic rotate your tires every 6,000 miles and keep your tires properly aligned.
While this notion of driving with recycled tires has proven to be economical, it does have these disadvantages:
• Safety – Should you reuse tires for your vehicle, you may be more likely than other drivers who don’t use recycled tires to get in a car wreck caused by a tire blip. This is because reclaimed tires have less elasticity compared to new tires.
• Uneven wear – If the previous owner was not conscientious of proper maintenance procedures, you may find that some recycled tires may not be worth the investment. The downside to this is that for some recycled tires, the damage is less evident.
In the event that you become injured or get in an accident while driving on recycled tires, the Florida personal injury lawyers at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore would be happy to discuss your options.
