Other Initiatives – Tires

OARS Tire Re-use Services TRUS dedicated to the long term beneficial use of tire material.

Tire re-use Services [TruS, as in “truce”] is dedicated to the long-term beneficial use of material and energy resources embodied in used tires. TruS seeks to re-utilize used tires with a minimum of material reprocessing. So as to minimize additional expense for transporting used tires, TruS advocates a decentralized approach to this very decentralized problem. Once TruS’ equipment is installed on a large pickup truck mobile tire processing equipment can be moved easily from one collection-construction site to another.

The tire-tread derived products featured here were constructed using TruS’ patented radial-tire-tread cutting machine and weaving stand pictured herewith. Additional equipment, for example, a sidewall cutter, a loom, a pneumatic riveter, etc. can be developed which will significantly ease nearly all aspects of developing construction techniques utilizing used-tire-derived materials.

There is a need for long-term monitoring of soil and water to determine if there is any leaching of tire materials into the soil. A preliminary literature review indicates that leaching of heavy metals and other chemicals from these minimally reprocessed materials will very likely be insignificant — although acid rain might have some effect. Indeed, it is anticipated that these structures would be certifiable under the most strict of organic specifications.

Experience to date and reasonable extrapolation indicate that the total capital investment required for a complete TruS processing system would likely be around $50,000 in addition to a heavy-duty pickup truck. With this equipment, a crew of three or more could be gainfully employed in simultaneously mitigating the used-tire problem and producing a broad range of landscaping products. These products would ease some of the toil of gardening and farming; provide a unified foundation of great assistance in maintaining driveways and hill-side paths; and provide very long-term help in controlling the erosion of topsoil and other organic resources.

Fashion, Fun and Function with used tires:

Clothing options from inner tubesA handy tire chock
Top hat and suspenders made from used tires.Purse made from used tires
A flying horse from one bias ply tireTire Road
Swinging horse made from used tirestire road mat made by weaving used tires

 

Tire re-use Services TRUS from OARS Omega-Alpha Recycling

The tire machine developed in Orma, West Virginia.  Slices tires into long strips perfect for weaving Tire re-use Services [“truce”] is dedicated to ecologically sound utilization of minimally reprocessed used tire resources.  We seek to develop symbiotic relationships within the ecological, social, and economic communities of which we are a part through the development of the creative talents of all people involved.

Customer Mission — We will strive to never lose a customer through dissatisfaction with our products or services.  We recognize that the needs of internal as well as external customers must be met in a respectful and timely manner.

Product Mission — We seek to provide  We seek to expand our market by working cooperatively with individuals and regional businesses that share our vision.

 

Workplace Mission — We seek to be proud of our products, services and performance while recognizing the need for continuous improvement.  Our organizational structure and actions will be based on trustworthiness, trust, mutual respect and open communication.  We seek to develop creative job opportunities that are enjoyable and personally rewarding.

Economic Mission — While we seek success as a profit-making business, we also believe that our financial viability is largely dependent upon broader economic, social and environmental stability and justice.  We seek to remove economic barriers that discourage development of non-traditional markets and to develop a regional business which can sustain itself without sacrificing our broader goals.  We want to provide equitable rewards for all efforts that help the company in the fulfillment of its mission.

A close up of a tire weaving used for road base on a country lane in West VirginiaEcological Mission — We seek to operate TruS in an environmentally sound manner: to minimize the use of non-renewable resources and maximize the sustainable utilization of renewable resources.  We seek to actualize these concepts through our used tire products, our tire processing equipment, and all other business activities.

OARS tire road
The prototype machine was designed to cut radial tire treads into useful construction materials. Non-belted tires are no problem.
OARS tire road
Cutting whole tire treads into 2″ strips.
OARS tire road
The machine’s designer utilizes the cross-cut option.
OARS tire road
The machine’s designer continues to cut tire
OARS tire road
A prototype sidewall cutter was developed but never perfected.
OARS tire road
The results of a few weeks’ free tire collection at the Calhoun Co. WV, DOT site. These tires were handled at least two more times, quartered/shredded, and placed in a monofill. The 2000 tires shown nearly equals those used in the pictured projects.
OARS tire road
Over 500 radial-tire treads – nested and delivered to the construction site. Sidewalls already removed for doormat construction.
OARS tire road
The total remaining materials after beneficial use of nearly 2000 radial tire treads
OARS tire road
Beginning drive mat construction near the top of the access road.
OARS tire road
Facing downhill from the top of the mat – movable weaving stand in place and about 1/4 complete.
OARS tire road
Facing uphill from the bottom of the access road – nearly 1/2 complete. Note the use of filled whole tires for ditch stabilization.
OARS tire road
Weaving the mat on the stand – about 3/4 complete
OARS tire road
Completion of the access road mat and integration with the original driveway.
OARS tire road
Integration of the road mat with whole, filled tires used to stabilize soil around a tree threatened by road construction.
OARS tire road
The road mat – in place and in use
OARS tire road
The mat’s first fall – uphill and down – with experimental erosion mat in place. Loose-weave mats offer increased inertia helpful in gaining biological assistance for soil stabilization on disturbed areas.
OARS tire road
Another view of the road
OARS tire road
While the mat offers adequate traction when only wet or dry, just a little snow turns the mat into an excellent sled run
OARS tire road
A prototype drive mat – a 15′ by 35′, “Y” shaped-mat constructed off-site and pulled up to a hillside intersection.
OARS tire road
Animals seem to like the mats. They warm quickly in the sun and can be traversed in bare feet.

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