There are currently at least 100 products that contain recycled tire rubber.Currently the largest markets of recycled tire rubber go into mulch, flooring and matting, civil engineering fill, and roads. Other products may include traffic drums, shooting range barriers, roofing tiles, erosion control barriers, handbags, sandals, and belts.
A small amount of recycled rubber is used as filler material in a new tire. However due to material differences and quality constraints, it can only be used in a minimal amount for new tires.
Currently there is no evidence showing any threat to the environment or human health compared to other conventional products.
TDF stands for Tire Derived Fuel in which rubber is used to replace or compliment other fuel sources for manufacturing facilities like paper mills, cement kilns, and other boilers or waste incinerators.
The preferred management for solid waste is first waste prevention, followed by recycling, then incineration as fuel, and finally land disposal. TDF should only be considered when tires cannot be completely recycled. Recycling would conserve materials saving new resources from being used while protecting the environment.
The two other main materials are steel and fiber that can be reused in other applications requiring the material.