TIRE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CalRecycle provided grant funding for the project in order to showcase the use of
recycled tires. The recycled rubber wall cost a fraction of what a concrete wall would
have. CalExpo was able to order the blocks and install them in a matter of days.
Year installed
: 2008
Savings
: CalExpo saved money on materials and permitting fees by building a retaining
wall out of recycled rubber blocks.
Benefits
:
•
Durable to outside elements
•
Consistent size – each block replaces two typical sand/ gravel bags
•
Diverts tires from landfills
Manufacturing process
: Massive steel wheels mechanically grind up tires into smaller
and smaller pieces. Steel and nylon belt residue is removed. Polyurethane binder is
added to the crumb rubber and the mixture poured into an 800-pound mold. The mold
heats up, compresses the rubber and polyurethane mixture then releases the 24” x 12”
x 4” block. Curing happens partly before the mold releases the block and partly
afterward.
ASTM standard
: The recycled rubber blocks meet the ASTM C1026 standard which
subjects the product to 15 cycles of freeze-thaw at 0 degrees F over 90 days with no
change.
A wide variety of high-quality, proven products are made from California’s recycled tires.
For more information, and a list of vendors, visit CalRecycle online at:
.
Always remember to ask for products made from 100% California recycled tires!
Disclaimer: References to individual businesses and products does not constitute an endorsement by CalRecycle.
CalRecycle makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for the information provided here.
Draft: December 18, 2012
