Circular economy is the key to the sustainable transformation of cities and municipalities. At the first face-to-face meeting of the AZuR Tyre Recycling NRW theme table in Münster on 18 November, over 40 participants from municipalities, business, politics and science discussed the opportunities, economic and ecological benefits of municipal circular economy projects in the region.
From certified used tyre disposal to the use of retreaded tyres for municipal fleets and road rehabilitation with rubber asphalt to the use of products made from tyre rubber granulate in municipal urban development. The event at the premises of Abfallwirtschaftsbetriebe Münster (awm) focussed on best practices, funding opportunities and specific project approaches for local authorities.
Successful networking event provides impetus for transformation
The first face-to-face meeting of the NRW Tyre Recycling Thematic Table impressively demonstrated that cities and municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia have it in their hands to actively promote circular projects - from disposal to procurement. The event not only provided the participants with fresh impetus, but also concrete approaches and funding opportunities for project realisation, which were explored in depth in an intensive personal exchange.
In his keynote speech, Cornelius Laaser from the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport NRW emphasised the strategic role of municipal stakeholders in establishing a functioning circular value chain: „Circular economy is no longer a vision, but a municipal task - from procurement to recycling.“ Laaser summarised: „The circular economy starts locally - in the cities, municipalities and districts. With networks such as AZuR, we provide targeted impetus and support the transformation.“
For Yorick Lowin (Managing Director of the German Tyre Trade and Vulcanisation Association BRV), the event was „an inspiring exchange about the future of the circular economy and the central role that our sector plays in it.“
Construction and renovation of roads with rubberised asphalt
Additivated rubber powder made from recycled old tyres is ideal for modifying asphalt and road bitumen in accordance with E GmBA. It can be applied without sticking or clumping. Adding approx. 15 % of the additivated recycled rubber powder to the bitumen improves the road quality in many ways. Weather-related cracking is prevented, as are joints or ruts in the carriageway.
The practical municipal use of rubber-modified asphalt was presented by Wolfgang Hilgenroth (Hilgenroth GmbH) and Alexander Borowski (Rotaernum GmbH). In Sundern-Westenfeld, the L686 was rehabilitated with rubber-modified asphalt. The advantages: less cracking, longer service life, lower maintenance costs. The district of Recklinghausen is already using the technology. Here, 60,000 square metres of road have been equipped with rubber-modified asphalt.
Urban development with recycled products made from tyre rubber granulate
How can cities and communities be made sustainably climate-friendly for the future? How can waste, emissions and traffic noise be reduced? Climate-friendly recycled products made from used tyre rubber granulate can be used in a variety of ways in urban development! The product spectrum ranges from wall systems and protective layers for green roofs to elastic impact protection surfaces for children's playgrounds and running tracks for sports facilities to noise protection and traffic calming. The durable, robust and weatherproof products help to unseal surfaces and can be recycled at the end of their life cycle.
NEW LIFE network coordinator Christina Guth presented examples from urban development in Münster. Products made from tyre rubber granulate are “durable, easy to maintain and meet the highest environmental standards. We are talking about the urban circular economy here - with every square metre of rubber granulate, CO₂ emissions are saved and liveable space is created at the same time.“
Funding programmes open up sustainable scope for action
Sabine Widdermann (ZENIT GmbH) gave the participants in Münster an in-depth overview of the diverse funding programmes in NRW. Whether grants via Ressource.NRW, specific project funding such as CircularCities.NRW or loans from NRW.BANK - there are numerous instruments available for municipal and entrepreneurial circular economy projects. Her appeal: „The entry into circular practice must not fail because of money. Those who use funding strategically can combine ecological impact with economic efficiency.“