Michelin in tie-up for vertical tire-based gardens

Madrid – Michelin and Spanish urban sustainability company Murarte have signed an agreement to work on vertical ‘green gardens’ using end-of-life tires (ELTs) in urban areas.

The initiative has begun its testing phase at Spanish airports and will expand to urban projects and public-private partnerships, Michelin announced 20 March.

According to Michelin, each square metre of the gardens reuses 10 ELTs.

In an urban project of 5,000 sq.m., more than 350 tonnes of waste tires could be recycled, achieving an air purifying effect equivalent to 25% of the Retiro park in Madrid.

Furthermore, the solution does not require water for maintenance, enabling the responsible use of water resources.

Developed and patented in Spain by Murarte, the pilot test of the solution saw partners recycling 120 tires in their first joint laboratory.

Tests have shown that every three square metres of the vertical gardens can compensate for the pollution generated by a vehicle over a journey of 16,000 km, added Michelin.

In addition, studies by the University of Prague, the Cartif Foundation and other independent laboratories such as Fraunhofer, have validated that the solution can reduce NOx emissions by between 21% and 28%.