How to Cut Up Old Tires & Use for Mulch
Recycling old tires into mulch for your flower beds, walkways or play area is a green way to help the environment. Charles Sanders writes in "Backwoods Home" magazine that there is almost one scrap tire for every person in the United States, with Americans throwing away almost 281 million tires in 2001 alone.
Rubber mulch breaks down much more slowly than traditional wood mulch, helping keep the used tires out of landfills.
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Remove the steel belt from the tires using a reciprocating saw or dremel and a chisel. Cut the sidewall out of the tire with a utility knife. Wear heavy leather gloves to protect your hands from the sharp blades.
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Rent an industrial shredder. Before renting, check with the rental firm that the machine is approved for use on tires.
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Cut the tires into pieces small enough to fit into the shredder. Insert them into the shredder according to the machine's directions.
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Use a serrated knife to cut up your tires if you do not have access to a shredder. The pieces should be about 1 inch square. This is a tedious process, and you will need to sharpen your blade frequently.
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Apply the mulch to your garden. Because the rubber is so dense, it should be applied at half the depth of wood mulch.
Things You Will Need
- Reciprocating saw or dremel
- Chisel
- Utility knife
- Heavy leather gloves
- Industrial shredder
- Serrated knife
References
Writer Bio
Aileen Clarkson has been an award-winning editor and reporter for more than 20 years, earning three awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. She has worked for several newspapers, including "The Washington Post" and "The Charlotte Observer." Clarkson earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Florida.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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