The Municipality of Tunuyán in Argentina is continuing its end-of-life tire management program through a new collection and transport operation involving local tire shops and Holcim. The initiative, coordinated by the municipal Environment Directorate, has been operating for several years and is intended to ensure that waste tires generated across the department enter a controlled recovery route rather than being abandoned or disposed of improperly. During 2025, the program recovered 1,940 end-of-life tires, which were sent for energy recovery through co-processing in the cement industry. The latest collection round will gather tires stored at participating tire shops throughout Tunuyán before transporting them for treatment. The municipality says the public-private arrangement helps reduce environmental and fire risks, limits potential mosquito breeding sites and provides a practical outlet for a difficult waste stream while using the tires’ calorific value as an alternative fuel in industrial production.

New collection round targets local tire shops

The Municipality of Tunuyán announced a new transport operation for end-of-life tires accumulated at different collection points across the department.

The initiative is coordinated through the Environment Directorate and involves local tire shops that temporarily store used tires before they are collected and transferred for recovery.

Program has operated for several years

The municipality said the collection system has been developed over several years in cooperation with Holcim and local tire businesses.

The arrangement is intended to create a stable management route for end-of-life tires and prevent them from entering uncontrolled disposal streams.

Nearly 2,000 tires recovered during 2025

During 2025, the program recovered 1,940 end-of-life tires from across Tunuyán.

The collected tires were sent for energy recovery through co-processing in the cement industry.

Seven tire shops participate in latest collection

The latest transport operation will collect tires stored by seven local tire businesses participating in the program.

These include Gomería Palacios, Gomería Lino, Gomería 25 de Noviembre, Gomería Julio Gómez, Gomería Galván, Gomería Chispazo and Gomería Nicolás Martín.

Local businesses provide collection infrastructure

The participating tire shops play a central role by retaining end-of-life tires until sufficient volumes are available for coordinated transportation.

This type of distributed collection network can improve waste tire management by allowing material to be consolidated locally before being transferred to a recovery facility.

Recovered tires used in cement production

The tires collected through the program are directed to co-processing in the cement industry.

During this process, the calorific value of the tires is used as an alternative fuel within industrial production, providing an energy recovery route for material that would otherwise require disposal.

Municipality highlights risks of uncontrolled disposal

Tunuyán officials said end-of-life tires require specific management because they degrade slowly and can remain in the environment for long periods when abandoned.

Improperly discarded tires can accumulate in vacant land, waterways and public spaces and create additional environmental and sanitation problems.

Tire stockpiles can increase fire risk

The municipality identified fire prevention as one of the reasons for maintaining organized tire collection.

Uncontrolled tire accumulations can present a significant fire hazard and can be difficult to manage once large volumes have built up.

Collection also supports mosquito control

Another objective of the program is to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites.

Waste tires can retain rainwater when stored outdoors, creating conditions that can support mosquito reproduction and increase public health concerns.

Residents can request collection from their homes

The program is also open to individual residents who have end-of-life tires stored at home.

Residents can request collection using an online form provided by the Municipality of Tunuyán.

Additional tire shops invited to join program

Tire businesses that are not yet part of the collection network can contact the municipal Environment Directorate to participate.

Expanding the number of collection partners could increase the quantity of end-of-life tires captured through the formal system and reduce the likelihood of improper disposal.

Public-private cooperation supports waste tire management

The municipality describes cooperation between local government, tire businesses and Holcim as a central element of the program.

The model distributes responsibilities across the collection chain, with local businesses accumulating tires, municipal authorities coordinating the system and industrial facilities providing the final recovery route.

Program links waste management with circular economy objectives

Tunuyán presents the initiative as part of its wider circular economy strategy by redirecting an end-of-life material into an industrial application.

While the tires are used for energy recovery rather than material recycling, the program keeps them within a controlled management system and avoids uncontrolled disposal.

Tunuyán plans to continue organized tire recovery

The municipality said sustained cooperation among public authorities, local businesses and residents is helping strengthen responsible environmental practices in the department.

Continued collection is expected to provide a regular outlet for end-of-life tires while reducing illegal dumping, fire risks and other problems associated with unmanaged tire waste.

Source: Municipality of Tunuyán.