Tyres
Zerowaste NZ estimates that about 4 million tyres are disposed of each year, about half of which go straight to landfill. The disposal and storage of old tyres has a number of associated problems such as leachates, storage, fire risk and the potential to become breeding grounds for mosquitoes as detailed on the Ministry for the Environment website.
Tyres student work
- Jacinda Brandley - Tyre Green Wall 2010
- Chris Taraeka - Rubber Stair Tread Grip 2010
- Maria Tam 'Tyre Based Isolator System' - WasteMINZ Highly Commended Prize 2008
- Robert Alexander - WasteMINZ Highly Commended Prize 2006
- Ben Jagersma 'Asphalt / Rubber Thermal Mass Storage System' - Highly Commended 2006
- Jennifer Giller 'Green Roof System' - 2006
- Michael Stonyer 'Interlocking Floor Tiles' - WasteMINZ Prize Winner 2004
- Timothy Gittos 'Draft Seals' - Highly Commended 2003
- David Gasson 'Cladding System' - Highly Commended 2003
Jacinda Brandley - Tyre Green Wall 2010
Jacinda, a landscape architecture student designed an interior green wall system using sections of tyres to create partition with thermal and sound insulation qualities.
Chris Taraeka - Rubber Stair Tread Grip 2010
Chris, building science student designed a stair tread system using parts of tyres to provide grip in slippery conditions.
Maria Tam 'Tyre Base Isolator System' - WasteMINZ Highly Commended Prize 2008
Wo (Maria) Tam researched how base isolators work came up with a system for the New Zealand context where waste tires are put to use to prevent damage to buildings during earthquakes. She won the Highly Commended WasteMINZ Prize.
Robert Alexander - WasteMINZ Highly Commended Prize 2006
Robert Alexander designed a highly mouldable material from recycled rubber and polystyrene. Such a material could be used to provide insulation to hot water pipes. The potential of the material as a shock absorbing flooring material was also explored.
Ben Jagersma 'Asphalt/Rubber Thermal Mass Storage System - Highly Commended 2006
Using recycled asphalt and recycle rubber combined with salvaged cooper pipes, this idea aims to create a surfacing system with high thermal mass able to heat homes. This tackles not only the waste problem in New Zealand but energy efficiency as well.
Jennifer Giller 'Green Roof System' - 2006
Jennifer Giller designed a light weight green roof system for use on suitable existing buildings. Reconstituted rubber is the main component of the design, detailed to allow for prevention of storm water run off and able to be easily separated into biodegradable and recyclable streams at end of life.
Michael Stonyer 'Interlocking Floor Tiles' - WasteMINZ Prize Winner 2004
Low profile tyres (preferably of a larger rim) and latex were used to produce a series of interlocking floor tiles. The resulting decorative flooring tiles have an easily maintainable surface and are durable. The potential uses for such a product were thought to be many and varied.
Timothy Gittos 'Draft Seals' - Highly Commended 2003
Inner tubes were utilised to create a simple, adjustable draft sealing system for existing doors and windows.
David Gasson 'Cladding System' - Highly Commended 2003
Inner tubes were used to experiment in the creation of exterior cladding systems. The student developed a series of different configurations, aesthetic finishes and wall, corner, jointing and window / door details.