The manufacture of new tyres requires energy and materials that impact the global and local environment. Retreading extends the useful life of a tyre, thereby maximising the use of energy and materials used in their original manufacture.
The composite nature of tyres means that they do not degrade quickly or easily and the environmental consequences for landfill and stockpiling are serious due to inherent fire risks and land contamination due the leeching out of certain chemicals constituents. As tyres are petro-chemical products, the oil savings associated with retreading are substantial.
On average it takes 22 gallons of oil to manufacture one new truck tyre and as most of the oil is found within the re-usable carcass, only 7 gallons of oil are required to produce a retread.