What to Do with Used Tyres

When you feel it is time to change your car tyres, you will tend to have a set of used tyres that you may want to dispose of.

Having anything that you don’t have use of anymore can be a burden to have lying around, taking up space no matter where you decide to store them. When it comes to tyres, however, there are many things to do with them once they’ve been used.

What can you do with used tyres you ask? That is what we will be covering here today.

Tyre Disposal

Tyres are predominantly made of rubber, either natural or synthetic, along with other components like steel wires and fabric. These materials are not biodegradable, meaning they do not break down easily in the environment.

Tyre recycling involves shredding the tyres into small pieces to be used in various applications, such as playground surfaces, or as fuel in certain industrial processes.

If you want to completely dispose of your tyres, the better options for this is either a local recycling centre or tyre specialists.

Tyre disposal specialists and recycling centres have the expertise and equipment to handle and process tyres correctly. They ensure that the tyres are disposed of or recycled in compliance with environmental regulations and standards.

Recycling tyres allows the recovery of valuable materials. Tyres/wheels contain rubber, steel, and fibre that can be extracted and reused. For instance, crumb rubber from recycled tyres is used in playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and as a component in road construction.

Another thing to note is many places have strict regulations regarding tyre disposal to protect the environment and public health. Using specialists or recycling centres ensures legal compliance, helping tyre generators avoid potential fines and legal issues.

If you are wanting to know where tyre recycling centres are located, visit Recycle Now and enter your postcode to find one near you.

Hand in to Local Garage or Sell as Part Worn

People that have no use for their used tyres to either sell their tyres as part worn to other motorists or hand in to local garages.

Local garage and fitting centres will typically take in your used tyres for repurposing – they will tend to recycle or even sell them at a cheaper price.

Garages will sell these used tyres as ‘ part worn tyres’, which is another term for second hand tyres that still have some life left in them.

These part worn tyres that are sold by garages and tyre retailers must have a tread depth of over 1.6mm (legal tread depth limit) and are typically sold at a tread depth of between 2-4mm, with new tyres having a tread depth of 8mm.

This gives customers a chance to purchase tyres at a cheaper price than at brand new whilst still getting some use out of them, even if the quality and longevity of the tyre is shortened.

Whilst we recommend you purchase new tyres to get the best out of your driving experience, part worn tyres are a cheap alternative of buying tyres.

Be Creative

If you feel like you don’t want to throw away your used tyres through proper recycling or handing them to your local garage, it doesn’t hurt getting creative with them.

There are many projects you can embark upon when using your used tyres, including the following:

• Classic and family friendly tyre swing

• Home gym equipment
• Pet beds
• Decoration
• Garden planters

Using your used tyres to unlock your creativity is never a bad thing, especially if you, friends, family, or even pets can benefit from it.

Used Tyres FAQs

How do I dispose of old tyres?

You can dispose of old tyres by doing one of the following:

• Local garage and fitting centres
• Sell to another motorist
• Specialised disposal services
• Construction projects
• Community and school projects

How old can tyres be for MOT?

There are no tyre age guidelines when it comes to your MOT. The important aspect of your tyre condition for your MOT is the tread depth of your tyre, which has to be above the 1.6mm legal depth limit.

How old can tyres be for roadworthy?

It is recommended that you change your tyres every 5 to 6 years, however, there is no ban on cars having tyres equipped that are any older. For some heavy vehicles/HGVs, there is a ban on tyres being equipped that are over 10 years old in the UK.

What is the difference between used tyres and part worn tyres?

Technically, there is no difference in definition between used tyres and part worn tyres. Part worn tyres is an industry term for used tyres that can still be equipped on vehicles, typically having a tread depth of around 4mm when sold.