Shredded Tires for Sale: An In-Depth Guide to Types, Applications, and Best Practices
Disposing of scrap tires has long been an environmental challenge—but shredded tires have emerged as a solution offering both ecological and economic benefits. As businesses, local authorities, and individuals seek sustainable options, shredded tires for sale are transforming from waste into valuable resources. Whether your needs are for playground surfacing, construction projects, or landscaping, understanding the various types, applications, and leading suppliers is essential for making an informed choice.
Comparative Table: Types & Applications of Shredded Tires
| Shredded Tire Type | Size Range | Metal Content | Typical Applications | Example Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber Crumb | 0.5–20mm | 99% wire free | Playgrounds, athletics tracks, infill for turf | smart-rr.co.uk, re-bound.co.uk |
| Medium Shredded Tire Chips | 20–50mm | Minimal | Landscaping, equestrian surfacing, light fill | smart-rr.co.uk |
| Large Shred/Primary Shred | 50–150mm+ | May have wire | Civil engineering, drainage, landfill cover | ukrr.co.uk, smart-rr.co.uk |
| Coloured Rubber Chippings | 20–40mm | 99% wire free | Decorative landscaping, play areas | re-bound.co.uk |
| Mixed Car/Truck/OTR Shred | Varies | Varies | General industrial, TDF (Tire Derived Fuel) | ukrr.co.uk, nationaltyrerecycling.co.uk |
Understanding Shredded Tires: Market Trends & Sustainability
The shredded tire sector in the UK has grown rapidly due to environmental regulations and innovation. Suppliers like ukrr.co.uk and nationaltyrerecycling.co.uk emphasize eco-friendly tire collection and recycling, diverting tons of rubber from landfill. Recycling tires not only eliminates safety hazards—such as fires and vermin—but also supports the circular economy by reintroducing materials into construction, road surfacing, or sports infrastructure.
A growing trend is the use of coloured, treated rubber chips, like those from re-bound.co.uk, in safety surfacing for playgrounds and landscaping. Simultaneously, primary shredded material continues to support large-scale engineering and energy generation.
Key Applications and Use Cases
Shredded tires are a versatile commodity. Here’s where they have the greatest impact:
Playgrounds & Sport Surfaces
Rubber crumb and coloured chippings offer shock absorption and safety for play areas and running tracks. Companies such as re-bound.co.uk and smart-rr.co.uk specialize in these clean, wire-free products, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and health standards.
Construction & Civil Engineering
Large shreds—sometimes with wire remaining—are prized for projects requiring robust drainage, soil stabilization, and lightweight fill. ukrr.co.uk and nationaltyrerecycling.co.uk provide customized sorting, offering shreds sized for engineering use, noise barriers, or embankment construction.
Landscaping & Decorative Uses
Coloured or natural tire chips add durable, attractive finishes to paths, garden beds, and equestrian tracks. These resist compaction and suppress weeds, making them a practical alternative to organic mulch that breaks down or blows away.
Tire Derived Fuel (TDF) & Industrial Applications
Some shredded tires become Tire Derived Fuel, replacing coal and oil in cement kilns and power plants. Providers like smart-rr.co.uk and ukrr.co.uk supply shreds for this sector, leveraging the high energy content per kilogram of rubber.
Equestrian & Livestock Surfacing
Rubber tire chips cushion stalls and arenas, reduce dust, and provide long-lasting footing for horses or livestock. National collections from suppliers like nationaltyrerecycling.co.uk make these materials widely available.
Suppliers and What Sets Them Apart
The market for shredded tires is diverse, from giants in recycling like ukrr.co.uk to niche playground surfacing experts such as re-bound.co.uk. Here’s a brief overview:
- ukrr.co.uk: Decades of experience, nationwide collection, comprehensive compliance, and service large civil and industrial accounts.
- smart-rr.co.uk: Focused on variety and customization, offering everything from fine crumb to primary large shreds.
- re-bound.co.uk: Specialists in coloured, metal-free chippings for aesthetic and safety-focused applications.
- nationaltyrerecycling.co.uk: Focused on commercial clients, offering regular collection and tailored recycling programs.
- www.trents.co.uk, www.asm-autos.co.uk, www.thescrappers.co.uk, www.atseuromaster.co.uk, www.buypartworntyres.co.uk: While primarily focused on part-worn and used tires, many also handle end-of-life tire logistics, which feed into shredding networks.
- www.machinerypartner.com: Provides insights into the equipment and processes transforming scrap into valuable shreds.
Key Benefits of Using Shredded Tires
Shredded tires provide unique environmental, economic, and functional benefits:
- Environmental Protection: Minimizes landfill waste, reduces fire risk, and prevents harmful leachate.
- Safety: Surfaces made from rubber crumb drastically reduce injury risks in playgrounds and sports.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Shredded tires are often more affordable and longer-lasting than comparable natural surfacing or aggregate.
- Water Management: Exceptional drainage properties make them ideal for roadbeds and athletic surfaces.
- Versatility: From decorative mulch to heavy-duty engineering, shredded tires suit wide-ranging needs.
Processing and Quality Considerations
The quality and performance of shredded tires hinge on processing methods and source material:
- Metal Removal: For playground and sports use, 99% or greater wire removal is essential, achieved by multi-stage shredding and powerful magnets.
- Granulation: Further processing reduces particle size, tailoring material to application needs (e.g. crumb rubber versus chips).
- Treatment and Colouring: Premium landscaping and play-surfacing uses rubber treated with UV-stable, non-toxic pigments.
- Quality Control: Leading providers inspect and certify products for contamination, size consistency, and safety.
Engaging with established recyclers like ukrr.co.uk and re-bound.co.uk ensures materials meet both technical and regulatory standards.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Shredded Tire Product
A successful purchase starts with clarifying your application and quality requirements:
- Define Use: Play surfacing, engineering fill, landscaping, or fuel?
- Size Requirements: Fine crumb (for turf and playgrounds) or large shreds (for fill and drainage)?
- Colour and Appearance: Is a decorative look needed?
- Certifications: For certain uses, look for suppliers who provide safety or compliance documentation.
- Volume and Delivery: Order quantities—often from 1 tonne to many truckloads—determine your logistical and cost factors.
Crucially, work only with reputable companies (see those listed above) that can provide clear specifications and transparency about processing.
Technical Comparison Table: Shredded Tire Features
| Feature | Rubber Crumb | Medium Shred | Large Shred/Primary | Coloured Chippings | Mixed Shred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Particle Size | 0.5–20mm | 20–50mm | 50–150mm+ | 20–40mm | Varies |
| Wire Content | <1% | Minimal | May have wire | <1% | Varies |
| Typical Use | Playgrounds, infill | Landscaping, fill | Civil, TDF | Landscape, play | Industrial |
| Colour Options | Black | Black | Black | Multi | Black |
| Stability/Compaction | High | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Safety (Play Areas) | Excellent | Good | Not recommended | Excellent | Not rated |
| Drainage Performance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good |
Best Practices for Safe, Effective Use
To maximize the benefits of shredded tire products:
- Site Preparation: Always use a geotextile membrane underneath rubber mulch or chippings to suppress weeds and support drainage.
- Layer Depth: Adhere to recommended thickness for safety surfacing (e.g., 50mm for play areas).
- Periodic Inspection: Check for exposed wire, compaction, or migration, especially in playgrounds.
- Environmental Safeguards: Ensure no run-off enters watercourses—reputable suppliers already test for leachate and heavy metals.
Sustainability and the Future of Shredded Tire Recycling
Innovations in tire recycling are ongoing. With growing demand for sustainable construction, regulation-driven diversion from landfills, and increased consumer awareness, technologies are improving for cleaner, safer, and more versatile shredded tire products.
By choosing companies prioritizing closed-loop recycling and transparent sourcing (ukrr.co.uk, smart-rr.co.uk, re-bound.co.uk, and others), buyers support not only their own projects but also the wider movement toward a zero-waste, circular economy.
Conclusion
The market for shredded tires for sale in the UK is dynamic, sustainable, and highly beneficial for a range of applications. When sourced from reputable providers, shredded tires offer proven safety, drainage, durability, and environmental advantages.
Understanding the different types, their uses, and what features are required for your application will ensure you select the ideal product. Whether for engineering projects, creative landscaping, or new playgrounds, shredded tires are a smart investment—with the added bonus of helping to solve the worldwide tire disposal problem.
FAQ
What is shredded tire material?
Shredded tire material is produced by mechanically cutting end-of-life vehicle tires into smaller pieces, ranging from coarse primary shreds (up to 150mm) to fine rubber crumb (under 20mm). Processing may include metal removal, cleaning, and sometimes colouring.
How is metal removed from shredded tires?
Most recyclers use powerful magnets and multi-stage shredders to extract wire and steel beads, particularly for products like playground crumb or colored chipping where safety is paramount.
Are shredded tires safe for children’s play areas?
Yes, provided they are certified as metal-free and made from non-toxic materials. Leading suppliers (re-bound.co.uk, smart-rr.co.uk) ensure their products pass rigorous safety checks for use in play environments.
What are the environmental benefits of using shredded tires?
Shredded tires prevent landfill buildup, reduce illegal dumping, conserve natural resources by replacing quarried stone or bark, and can even offset fossil fuel use in industrial settings.
Can I use shredded tires for drainage in construction?
Absolutely. Large shreds with some wire content are widely used as lightweight aggregate in drainage, retaining wall backfill, and roadbeds due to their excellent drainage and lightweight properties.
How much does shredded tire material cost?
Prices depend on processing, size, and quantity—expect to pay more for wire-free, coloured, or specialty products. Bulk rates are usually available for large civil or landscaping projects.
Are there regulations on the use of shredded tires?
Yes, especially for playgrounds or landscaping in public areas. Always source from companies that comply with UK safety and environmental standards.
How is shredded tire material delivered?
Suppliers offer delivery in bulk bags, loose bulk, or even smaller quantities. Nationwide or regional delivery options are standard among leading providers.
Is shredded tire mulch better than wood bark for landscaping?
Rubber mulch is long-lasting, doesn’t decompose or attract pests, and offers superior weed control—making it an excellent alternative to organic bark.
Who are the top suppliers in the UK for shredded tires?
Key players include ukrr.co.uk, smart-rr.co.uk, re-bound.co.uk, nationaltyrerecycling.co.uk, with other tire specialists like www.trents.co.uk and www.asm-autos.co.uk also involved in the wider tire lifecycle, feeding the recycling chain.
