The Kuwait Green Building Council hosted a hybrid lecture and discussion with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research on the potential use of recycled tire materials in road construction. The session, titled “From Waste to Roads,” took place on August 24, 2026, and focused on Kuwait’s tire waste challenge and the opportunity to repurpose discarded tires for more sustainable infrastructure. The topic is especially relevant to Kuwait because the former Al-Rheyya site once contained more than 40 million waste tires before they were transferred to Al-Salmi for treatment and recycling. The session presented tire recycling and rubberized asphalt as potential circular economy pathways that can reduce the environmental burden of accumulated tires while creating productive uses for recycled rubber in the built environment.

Hybrid session focused on Kuwait’s tire waste challenge

The event was organized by Kuwait Green Building Council in collaboration with KISR. It explored how discarded tires can be transformed from a waste problem into a resource for infrastructure applications.

The session addressed the scale of Kuwait’s end-of-life tire issue, including the former Al-Rheyya accumulation, which once held more than 40 million waste tires. The transfer of these tires to Al-Salmi for treatment and recycling highlighted the need for long-term outlets that can absorb large volumes of tire-derived materials.

Video by Kuwait Green Building Council.

KISR presented road infrastructure applications

Dr. Haya Al Mutairi of KISR presented approaches for incorporating recycled tire materials into road infrastructure. The discussion focused on how tire-derived materials can support more sustainable and circular infrastructure solutions in Kuwait.

Road construction is one of the established end markets for recycled tire rubber. Depending on technical specifications, recycled tire materials can be used in rubberized asphalt and other road applications, helping create demand for waste tire recovery and supporting circular use of rubber resources.

Rubberized asphalt offers circular economy potential

The session highlighted the possibility of using tire recycling outputs in roads rather than treating discarded tires only as a disposal problem. Rubberized asphalt and related applications can help reduce tire stockpiles while contributing to infrastructure performance and sustainability objectives.

For Kuwait, where tire accumulation has been a major environmental issue, local road projects could provide an important market for recycled tire materials if technical, regulatory and procurement conditions are aligned.

Members discussed local implementation challenges

After the lecture, KGBC members attending in person at the KGBC Members Hub and participants joining online took part in an interactive discussion. Participants raised questions, exchanged perspectives and discussed the opportunities and challenges of implementing tire-derived road solutions locally.

The discussion brought together researchers and industry professionals, reflecting the importance of collaboration between scientific institutions, construction stakeholders, policymakers and recycling operators.

Research and collaboration seen as essential

KGBC said the session demonstrated the importance of research, collaboration and circular thinking in addressing Kuwait’s waste challenges. The event also emphasized that materials traditionally viewed as waste can be reconsidered as resources for the built environment.

The full webinar recording is available on KGBC’s YouTube channel. The session adds to the growing international discussion on tire recycling, rubber recycling and rubber-modified road infrastructure as part of a broader circular economy strategy.

Article source: Kuwait Green Building Council.