Northgate Vehicle Hire is looking to increase the number of tyres its recycles with its used tyre management partner Vellco as part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

In 2012 Vellco collected a total of 85,786 tyres from Northgate depots based in the UK, including 65,000 car units (representing 540 tonnes), 20,000 van tyres (representing 250 tonnes), and 786 light truck units (representing 20 tonnes).

This figure is set to rise throughout 2013.

Once Vellco has collected all car and van tryes they are supplied to the UK cement industry (Lafarge Industries) via its wholly owned subsidiary company, Sapphire Energy, where the tyres are shredded into 50mm pieces and then fed into the cement kiln as a replacement fuel for coal.

Not only is this environmentally beneficial, but it also reduces NOX oxides of nitrogen, as well as an efficient calorific burn value compared with coal.

Light truck tyres, on the other hand, do not go into the cement process - they are recycled through a granulating into their constituent components, such as rubber and steel.

The reclaimed steel goes into the steel industry for recycling into new steel.

The rubber “chips” are further granulated into crumb rubber of various grades, which are used as secondary raw material in the production of artificial sports surfaces, children’s playgrounds, rubber mats, and various other rubber products.

Jonathan Pearce, head of marketing at Northgate Vehicle Hire, commented: “Since working with Vellco we have recycled a vast amount of tyres.

"We feel it’s extremely important for us to show that we are environmentally responsible and our partnership provides a true reflection of best practice that we hope is recognised by our loyal customers.”

 

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