People rarely mention the wheel when discussing destructive technology. Instead, they often refer to nuclear bombs or bio-weaponry. The invention of the wheel allowed shipping, industrialization and transportation, as well as iPods, all of which are hallmarks of modern civilization.
We created a problem when we started making rubber tires. Tires eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Tires that have been worn out can be difficult to dispose of. Around 188 million used tires end up in illegal dumps, stockpiles or landfills each year.
Tires occupy a lot of landfill space because of their empty middles. They can also rise to the tops of landfills, which can make them a breeding ground for rodents or cause damage to landfill cover. Although it is a good idea to shred tires, it is not a universally applicable process.
Storing scrap tires can lead to serious health problems. Because of the void spaces in tires, rainfall can accumulate and create standing water which allows for mosquito breeding. The mosquitoes are not only annoying, but they can also spread deadly diseases such as Yellow Fever, Dengue, West Nile Virus, and Dengue. It has been proven that used tires can be shipped between states to spread non-native species of mosquitoes throughout the country.
Tires can also be fire hazards. Even though tires are slow to ignite they can also be difficult to extinguish. Water and foam are often ineffective. A grass fire that started in 1998 ignited 7,000,000 tires in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The fire burned for more than two years, despite being expected to last two weeks. The fire produced noxious gas, an oily residue and affected local communities as well as water systems.
America must keep its tires from accumulating. You can recycle tires and mix them with other materials to make walls or footing for playgrounds. Some tires may be used as fuel for new cars.
JBI Inc. developed a process called “Tires to Oil” that transforms tires into a fuel like biodiesel. Tires can be made into oil quickly and easily by simply being shredded or separated. The process produces a gas byproduct that provides all the energy required to turn the tires into oil. American dependence on foreign oil will be reduced if tires can be converted to fuel. This will also reduce the amount of trash tires that pose a threat to human health.
JBI Inc. trades OTC under the stock symbol JBII. For more information, please visit www.jbiglobal.com.
