Bridgestone claims ‘industry first’ with 70% sustainable tire

Nashville, Tennessee – Bridgestone Americas has claimed an industry first with a 70% sustainable tire, to be displayed during the WasteExpo, 5-9 May in Las Vegas.

Now commercially available, the tire is based on the Bridgestone M870, a high-scrub, all-position radial waste and recycling tire specifically designed for urban waste collection fleets.

Using the ‘mass balance approach’, the tire uses circular synthetic rubber like butadiene and halobutyl rubber, circular carbon black, and natural rubber, Bridgestone announced 30 April.

The mass balance approach is a chain of custody method used to trace the flow of alternative materials through complex value chains.

A limited number of the sustainable tires will be used on waste fleets later this month, according to the group.

“The debut of this 70% recycled and renewable demonstration tire is not a glimpse into the future, but the reality of today,” said Steve Hoeft, president, commercial truck group, Bridgestone Americas.

The tire, Hoeft said, has been developed through close cooperation with the supply chain and meets “rigorous standards set by the ISCC.”

The group will also exhibit its new “drive-over system”: an 'in-yard solution' that uses special plates to capture tread depth measurements.

The technology is designed to provide fleets with a comprehensive look at each tire’s tread depth and alert to irregular wear issues.

With frequent data collection, fleets can make better-informed decisions related to maintenance and avoid premature or overdue tire removal.

The technology helps fleets keep tires in service longer and optimise performance.