What are the safety issues associated with tire recycling?

Question

In a search I found out that the manufacture of new tires involves only a small percentage of old tires. They must use virgin rubber because of safety issues. What are those safety issues? The industry used to make new tires 100% out of old tires.

Answer 1

"Safety issues" = lawsuits.

Any tire failure can lead to a catastrophic traffic accident.  That bus with recapped tires on the steer axle that crashed is an example.

So any compromise of safety, however slight, from using re-cycled materials in a tire would be unacceptable, and the lawyers would jump all over it.

It would be like recycling the plastic tubing and bags used in blood collection.  Whatever "feel good" folks get from recycling, is more than out-weighed by the increase in hazard and risk.

Answer 2

From what i have been told the reason why they do not do that any more is because the rubber in used tires is not Strong enough to met strict rules .my husband says it is because of a couple years ago when they had the tire recall so many people got hurt because the tires were blowing out but that is what i have been told hope it helps

Answer 3

Not positive, but I think it has to do with the vulcanization process.  Something about the process makes it a one way thing, you can't simply melt it down and start again.