Fijian government is exploring the possibility of using old tyres to lay new roads
Rubberised Asphalt for Fiji?
Fijian Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says rubber mixed with glass and bitumen has been used to lay new roads in other parts of the world. It is a process that Fiji should also be considering says Sayed-Khaiyum.
Fiji is not a heavily industrialised nation so it cannot simply use the tyres for TDF, and it has no domestic rubber industry. Hence, it faces a need to fund realistic alternatives to try and deal with its tyre arisings.
Sayed-Khaiyum said; “There is one company that has already identified equipment. So, once we have that, we will have a recycling system for tyres. If someone buy an imported car, we may charge $20 per tyre for the car. Once the tyres get changed the owner can go a collector and you may get $10 back.”
Sayed-Khaiyum adds that the reason that some countries use recycled tyres on their roads is because the rubber component makes them more water-resistant.
Source: FBC News