Film: What happens to old and broken tyres?

NEW LIFE films the new life of rubbers

What happens to used tyres that are no longer used on vehicles? The NEW LIFE initiative shows this in its new film. As a partner, KURZ is committed to the professional recycling of used tyres. The film clearly shows how the tyres are processed and what products are made from them. The film also clarifies whether these new products can have an impact on health during use.

The story behind the film is quickly told. A young man has his tyres changed at a specialist garage. They offer to dispose of the old tyres professionally for a small fee. This arouses his curiosity as to what is meant by "professionally". A short journey begins that shows how the tyres are recycled, how they are sorted, how they are dismantled and how they are finely ground. And this range is huge, as is the potential: from building protection mats and impact sound insulation to vases and playground flooring, everything is included.

The young man asks himself why these possibilities are not utilised much more. However, he learns that there are reservations about the potential health risks posed by the substances contained in the recyclates. Prof. Dr Ulrich Giese from the German Institute of Rubber Technology explains that the potentially carcinogenic substances, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs for short, are omnipresent in our cities. Even when barbecuing, PAHs are produced by burning fat - and then even ingested orally. According to Giese, the risk of ingesting them when using recycled products is no higher than in the urban environment in general.

With the new film, the NEW LIFE initiative is addressing all people, especially car drivers, who want to live a circular economy. The video offers a look behind the scenes of used tyre recycling. How are tyres shredded and processed, and what can be made from them?

The film is now available on www.initiative-new-life.de and on Youtube retrievable.