Mexico Aims to Tackle Used Tire Pollution

The pollution caused by used tires in Mexico presents environmental and public health challenges. Methods such as mechanical recycling and pyrolysis are already being implemented by the private industry. However, these remain localized initiatives. Experts propose the creation of a Circular Economy Law to establish regulations that would improve waste management.

Juan Pablo Ríos, President, National Chamber of the Rubber Industry, emphasized that Mexico has great potential to venture into tire recycling and transition toward a cleaner circular economy for the industry. There are various ways to extend the life cycle of used tires and reduce their environmental impact. One of them is mechanical recycling, which involves shredding tires to recover up to 90% of their materials, such as rubber and steel. These materials are then reused in the production of shoe soles, sports flooring, and asphalt mixtures.

Another alternative is pyrolysis, a technology that decomposes tires at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, yielding liquid fuels and gases that can be used as clean energy. At the national level, several cement companies have already integrated this technology to produce alternative fuel for their internal processes.

Companies such as Cementos Moctezuma, Holcim, Cemex, and Cemento Cruz Azul use tires as fuel to generate energy, incorporating these materials into the production chain and reducing their carbon emissions. For example, in 2022, in partnership with the organization Cuidemos el Océano A.C., Cemex recycled 400 tires recovered from the seabed in the state of Baja California. Moreover, in 2024, Cemento Cruz Azul announced the launch of a waste co-processing line in Aguascalientes. The project required an investment of over US$5.5 million and aimed to process approximately 66,000t of waste, including tires, rubber, plastic, polyurethane, fibers, rags, and textiles. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The accumulation of used tires is not only an eyesore but also has serious environmental and public health consequences. In this regard, industry specialists argue that the creation of a law promoting the circular economy, along with public policies favoring recycling, could drive better strategies in Mexico to end these harmful practices.

“We are working to create a Circular Economy Law that will allow us to ensure that more end-of-life tires are recycled and that the resulting materials are reintegrated as raw materials for more sustainable mixtures, while also continuously reducing water use in vulcanization processes,” Ríos stated in an interview with El Financiero.

What Are the Consequences of Poor Tire Disposal in Mexico?

The issue of used tires in Mexico is a major environmental and public health challenge. It is estimated that over 300 million used tires are accumulated in illegal dumps and bodies of water across the country, while approximately 30 million more from cars, trucks, and heavy machinery are discarded each year. However, only 10% of these tires are recycled, making Mexico one of the countries facing the greatest difficulties in managing this type of waste.

A tire is primarily composed of synthetic rubber, petroleum derivatives, textile fibers, and chemicals, many of which are potentially toxic. As these materials degrade, they release heavy metals that contaminate the soil. Additionally, tires pose a public health risk, as they are a significant source of microplastics. These tiny particles can be inhaled by humans or end up in rivers and oceans, significantly contributing to environmental pollution. It is estimated that between 10% and 78% of the microplastics polluting the oceans come from tire wear.

Beyond microplastic pollution, used tires create additional environmental and health hazards. In bodies of water, they can be carried by currents, obstructing natural channels and causing floods. Discarded tires also serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit diseases such as dengue and Zika and attract rodents, increasing health risks in nearby communities. Furthermore, tires are highly flammable, and when they catch fire, they release toxic gases that degrade air quality.