This is a picture of recycled tires that are retreaded after being collected by tire companies that are trying to manufacture as many tires as possible.
Link to article: http://www.naturalnews.com/032465_recycling_energy.html
Summary: A study has been conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The study has found that in some cases, reusing products requires more energy to be used rather than using new material. Through 25 different studies of various products pertaining to automobiles, the institute found that not only did the amount of energy used increase in recycled products, but that the performance of the products that were made with recycled material were lacking in performance over time. The products that are being focused on by the institute are mainly set on automobile tires and motor cores. Many people think that reusing tires is just as good as using new ones. However, even after being retreaded and made like new in the eyes of manufacturers, the performance can falter greatly. After being studied, the institute found that more gas is needed to power a car that uses these tires that are retreaded after being recycled.
Opinion/Reflection: Recycling has always been a great thing in the eyes of Americans. Recycling is becoming a large movement that makes the Earth green. However, if performance of material is lacking when using recycled products, recycled products may not always be necessary. The issue at hand when talking about recycling tires is that the consumer may not be satisfied to know that the car he or she is purchasing is not as well in performance as others that are literally brand new and not retreaded after being nearly destroyed by the wear and tear of the road. I think that the first thing that has to be done is that the consumers have to be aware of this issue and the long-term effects of purchasing a tire that has been recycled. Once this happens, and if consumers are not purchasing these recycled tires because they know of its effects, the price will either dramatically drop or these kinds of tires will almost stop being sold due to lack of sales. The consumer should know how their tires will perform in the long run. However, if there is no more recycled tires being used, landfills will be even more filled than they are currently. Either way, recycling has become an issue in the amount of energy being used.
Questions:
1. Do you think that there should be no more recycled tires retreaded and sold?
2. Do you think that consumers would still purchase recycled tires at the same price knowing that they use more energy and lack performance?
3. Do you think that other types of recycled materials should be tested for energy use and performance over time?
I believe that consumers will buy anything that has "green", "recycled", or "eco" slapped on the side of it. I'm not saying that isn't good. I just think that people expect more, faster. Maybe if there was a way to restore tires or any material for that matter, for the fraction of the price of manufacturing more. It would greatly help the operating budget for the companies.
ReplyDeleteRecycling can be better maintained if people cared. Pollution concerns everyone, but almost no one is concerned. Better education on recycling procedures for the employees and the citizens can result in a more effective recycling process. Also, talking with state or local representatives about issuing better recycling bills could help this problem.
This is a pickle. I guess the question comes down to whether to waste more energy or pollute the Earth with more unrecycled materials. It seems that the only full solution to this problem is to find other, renewable substances to make these materials, such as tires, out of.
ReplyDeleteThere should be more tires retreaded once we can find a way to support the extra energy needed. I think the consumer's general choice would change because the average consumer is typically uneducated about this kind of thing and do not have much info to make a decision. Yes, I think other types of materials should be tested.
I agree with Lisa. I feel that more and more people everyday want to “go green” so I feel that even if performance lacking or if it takes more energy to process it into a new product people will still buy it. I think that since this study was only on auto parts that it is not all inclusive of other recycled materials. I think tires should be shredded into tire chip which is sill recycling tires by using the for a playground or something. I think people would still by tires even if lacking performance because most people are uneducated or uninterested in tires.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people that want to help the environment should know that this really isn't doing any good and I don't think they would still pay the same price for these tires. Perhaps a more affordable option could produce more sales for recycled tires. However, it still isn't going to make the same sales it usually does once everyone is informed that they may not work as well. I definitely think studies should be done on more things so that the public knows what they are getting.
ReplyDelete