Waste tyres changing lives

The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) Plan is approved by the Department of Environmental Affairs to clean the country of tyre waste through the creation of a new tyre recycling industry.

As part of the plan, Redisa works with transporters, depots and recyclers.

Dawhi Rubber Recycling, based in Germiston, is one rubber crumbing business with a successful working relationship with Redisa.

Dawhi receives approximately 16 tonnes of truck tyres daily.

In addition, over the last year and a half, the recycler has been receiving an infrastructure development grant of 31c a kilogram which has helped the company to develop existing infrastructure and purchase new equipment so that the business can expand, and ultimately take more tyres.

At this recycler, tyres are crumbed into different grades of granules which can then be re-used in various products and sold to different industries.

Currently the main recipient of Dawhi’s crumbed product is the road construction industry where it is used in asphalt for tarring the roads.

Despite a few operational challenges, such as the cost of electricity and upkeep of the premises, Dawhi Rubber Recycling has a growing client base and has plans for future expansion projects.

Over 450 000 tyres are processed annually, and the company produces over 2 500kgs of fine ground crumb rubber daily.

“The key to turning waste into worth is to start looking at waste differently.

“Dawhi Rubber Recycling recognised the opportunity in waste tyres, and we are thrilled to be able to assist this company and help ensure its success,” said Redisa director Stacey Davidson.

Redisa is not a recycler, but supports companies, both large and small, who recycle waste tyres into saleable products.

“Our support ranges from business plan development, to assisting with environmental impact assessments, and what we offer all recycling companies who have signed up with Redisa is free delivery of waste tyre feedstock.

“Currently Redisa pays an infrastructure development grant to recyclers (based on the tonnage of tyres delivered) in order to further assist in ensuring the sustainability of their business.

“By doing so, the recycling company is able to focus on its core business – namely developing its market and making product,” added Davidson.

Redisa plans to employ 1 500 people by the end of 2014, with the vision ultimately being to create 10 000 new jobs by 2017 and developing skills in communities.

• The crumbing process:
• When the tyres are delivered to the processing plant, the walls of the tyres are removed.
• The tyre is then put through the stripping machine.
• Thereafter the tyre strips are chopped into blocks.
• The next step is to remove the steel wire and finally crumb the tyre.
• Nothing goes to waste during this process, as the metal from the tyres is sold to scrap yards.