Oman Environmental Services Holding (be’ah), the key organisation responsible for solid waste management, is working closely with several authorities to put the required legal framework in place so as to pave the way for a multi-million riyal scrap tyres’ recycling industry. This initiative is a sequel to an earlier be’ah study which revealed that the Sultanate’s end-of-life-tyres (ELT) stockpile has been on the increase for many years. Today, the ELT stockpile stands at over 110,000 tonnes. Each year around 40,000 tonnes of ELT is generated in the country. The recycling industry for converting used tyres into rubber crumbs with applications in roads and submarines would hold out many business opportunities for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) sector, Mohammed bin Sulaiman al Harthy, Executive Vice-President, be’ah, told Observer in an exclusive interview.
He said be’ah plans to create business opportunities for the SMEs for the End of Life Tyres (ELT) collection system and is working closely with several authorities to develop a comprehensive business model to be implemented across the Sultanate. The study identified the supply chain of ELT treatment, which includes a collection system, primary treatment facilities, and rubber based industries (secondary treatment). It did, also, point out that there are several challenges to be overcome to make a successful ELT recycling industry. Major challenges include the lack of a legislative framework organising the ELT industry and the need to formalise existing activities that include illegal labor force exporting ELT to other countries. ELT is a resource and it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that full added value of ELT is kept within the Sultanate. In addition to pushing for a legal framework, be’ah has developed an ELT strategy that insures the maximum in-country value is achieved.
As far as primary treatment goes, be’ah is studying locations and required number of facilities to handle generated ELT and will open up the opportunity for private investors to setup such facilities. However, it is important that feedstock of ELT is guaranteed for such facilities and it is therefore the responsibility of the concerned government entities to ensure that proper legislation is in place and illegal market activities or exporting of all forms of ELT are banned and monitored closely, he said. In addition, be’ah encourages the development of rubber industries that depend on the output of ELT recycling facilities. These industries introduce secondary treatment to rubber granules or powder produced by ELT recycling facilities and produce end consumer products that include rubber tiles, insulation material, mulch, and street furniture, name just a few. Recycling of scrap tyres on a national scale can drastically reduce waste yards, soil and atmospheric contamination caused by dump sites and large scale tyres fires.
Experts say massive disposal sites of scrap tyres are a nuisance. The used tyres slowly degrade under the effects of solar radiation as well as rusting of steel takes place. Degraded material slowly contaminates soil and underground water. The disposal sites waiting under the sun for extended periods of time might catch on fire, resulting in thick black smoke and heat, which quickly spreads over the whole disposal area, and leaves oily residue contaminating the soil. Moreover, scrap tyres disposal sites are breeding grounds for rodents and mosquitoes. Stagnant water that collects inside tyres is a suitable breeding place for mosquitoes. Elimination of scrap tyres disposal sites by proper recycling would be a boon for society and is a long overdue initiative. Scrap tyres have many potential uses. Part of the ELT stockpiles can be directly used as boat bumpers at marinas to protect ships from scratching or hitting at the side of wharf.
Similarly, ripped tyre pieces in large chunks can be directly used as light weight infill material at embankments. Smaller scrap tyre pieces can be used as mixture in concrete as gravel substitute to improve tensile capacity or in asphalt paved roads for better traction. Smaller crumbs can be bonded together to generate walking or running mats or soft surfaces for playgrounds. Recycled tyres find many applications. Rubber skin is now in all modern ships and submarines as sonar wave absorbers. A new generation of special sub-surface irrigation pipes also uses a mix that is 70 per cent made up of recycled rubber and other additives. When used with asphalt, the rubber crumbs boost road durability and prevent cracking. Nothing beats the benefits of rubber crumbs when mixed with asphalt. Highway construction industry is a big alternative market for recycling scrap tyres. Many studies have been carried out on crumb rubber modified asphalt.
A recycling industry, which be’ah is trying to develop, will turn this heap, which for years has been just a sore sight, into something useful. The idea is to develop opportunities for the SMEs by nibbling away into the tyres dump by turning them into rubber crumbs — as asphalt road additives or soft flooring. It can also produce rubber tiles that can be used as matting for gyms, playgrounds, stadium playing areas, running tracks and walkways. Asphalt-rubber roads lessen the noise generated by tyres friction and improve riding qualities. It makes sense, because rubber came from living trees. Used tyres go through several stages of shredding before they are turned into rubberised tiles and used as matting for gyms, playgrounds and jogging tracks. They can also be used as asphalt additives, running tracks, volleyball courts, synthetic playing fields, and horse arena footing. The end product is clean, and non-abrasive surface, which protects from slips and falls, deters pets, rodents, and insects and can be installed over many existing surfaces.