Recycling Old Tire Rims

Recycling Old Tire Rims

Every year, millions of tires are discarded, presenting an environmental challenge. While much attention is given to the tire treads themselves, the metal rims also require effective recycling solutions. Recycling tire rims is not only crucial for reducing waste but also for reclaiming valuable metals. In this blog, we delve into the process and the equipment essential for recycling old tire rims.

Understanding the Importance of Rim Recycling

Tire rims, typically made from metals like steel or aluminum, are integral to vehicle design and safety. However, resolving how to recycle them can be daunting due to their size, weight, and metal composition. By recycling these rims, valuable resources can be reclaimed and reused in manufacturing, significantly reducing the demand for new raw materials.

The Rim Recycling Process

Tire wheels recycling involves several important steps to ensure that the materials are appropriately processed and repurposed. Here’s a look at the general process:

1. Collection and Transportation

The first step in rim recycling is collecting the old rims. This can be done through tire retailers, recycling centers, or special municipal programs. Once gathered, the rims are transported to the recycling facility.

2. Sorting and Inspection

At the facility, rims are sorted by metal type—typically steel or aluminum. Sorting is essential since the recycling processes vary based on the material. During this stage, rims are also inspected for contaminants, like rubber residue, to ensure they don’t interfere with recycling.

3. Cutting and Crushing

Equipment such as shedders and crushers are then used to reduce the rims into smaller, more manageable pieces. This step facilitates the subsequent separation and melting processes.

  • Tires Rims Shredders: These help cut through the strong metal rims, breaking them down into pieces that are easier to process.
  • Crushers: Crush rims to reduce their size even further and separate any remaining non-metallic components.

4. Metal Separation

Advanced separation technologies are used to distinguish between different metals and remove any non-metallic materials. Magnetic separators or eddy current separators play a crucial role here:

  • Magnetic Separators: Specifically used for ferrous metals, they efficiently separate steel rims from other impurities.
  • Eddy Current Separators: Useful for separating non-ferrous metals like aluminum by creating a repelling magnetic field.

5. Melting and Purification

The metal pieces are then melted in high-temperature furnaces. During melting, purification agents may be added to remove any remaining impurities, ensuring high-quality metal output.

6. Casting and Molding

Once the metal is purified, it is cast into molds and cooled to create new shapes, whether that be new rims or other metal products. This step transforms recycled metal scrap into reusable industrial materials.

Key Equipment in Rim Recycling

The effectiveness of recycling tire rims largely depends on the specialized equipment used:

  • Industrial Shears and Crushers: These machines handle cutting and crushing efficiently, preparing the rims for further processing.
  • Magnetic and Eddy Current Separators: Vital for the metal separation process, protecting the quality of recycled metal.
  • High-Temperature Furnaces: Facilitate efficient melting and purification of metals, paramount for producing usable recycled material.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Get rid of tires on rims not only conserves natural resources by reducing mining but also saves energy, as producing metal from scrap requires significantly less energy than producing it from raw ore. This process also lowers emissions, contributing positively to both local and global environmental goals.


The recycling of old tires is a well-orchestrated process employing various technologies to transform waste into valuable resources. By efficiently recycling these metal components, we pave the way for economic savings, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable practices in industrial manufacturing.


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