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Recycled tires for wastewater treatment

For small cities, villages, or individual houses, of using this type of filtering media in wastewater
a combination of several structures was used, each treatment applications.
performing a specific function and contributing to The economic benefits of the proposed method include
improved water purification efficiency. several key factors: The simplicity of phytoremediation
As the project did not include buildings, heating systems, the absence of complex engineering devices
systems, water supply infrastructure, electrical for controlling water levels or flow, the elimination of
equipment, or accommodation for service and laboratory chemical or reagent use, and a reduced need for highly
staff, the overall development cost was lower compared qualified personnel.
to traditional treatment facilities with similar initial The environmental benefits are equally significant.
characteristics. Such systems can replicate natural riverine areas, using
Such systems are specifically advantageous when aquatic plants commonly found in floodplains. The
sewage treatment plants are needed for individual development or expansion of such areas can intercept
users in rural areas or when the facility operates only and treat wastewater before it enters rivers, without
seasonally, such as during the holiday period. During disrupting the natural conditions of the region. This
temporary surges in wastewater volume, additional approach effectively removes suspended solids, organic
phytotechnology treatment blocks can be employed to matter (including petroleum products), and pathogenic
handle the overflow. In essence, such structures can microorganisms, while also reducing overall water
be adapted to different living conditions and scenarios mineralization.
involving small volumes of wastewater. Facilities such
as children’s camps, sanatoriums, holiday homes, and Acknowledgments
recreational centers, which typically operate for up to
6 months a year, can effectively address their wastewater None.
treatment needs using such phytotechnology-based
systems. Funding

4. Conclusion None.

Tire recycling is a critically important process for Conflict of interest
protecting both the environment and human health. The
decomposition of tires takes about 100 years, as they are The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
almost non-biodegradable.
The environmental and social harm caused by tire Author contributions
disposal in landfills, including the usage of large areas
for unorganized (unauthorized) dumping and the risk of Conceptualization: Liudmyla Melnik, Olha Rybalova
air pollution, highlights the urgent need for sustainable Formal analysis: Liudmyla Melnik, Olha Rybalova
methods of reusing waste tires. Investigation: Liudmyla Melnik, Olena Bryhada,
An analysis of the current waste management system Bohdan Tsymbal
in Ukraine has revealed significant shortcomings. Methodology: Olena Bryhada, Oleksii Ilinskyi, Bohdan
Therefore, the use of waste car tires as a filter layer Tsymbal
in wastewater treatment systems can simultaneously Writing – original draft: Olha Rybalova, Anton Matsak
enhance the efficiency of industrial waste disposal Writing – review & editing: Olha Rybalova, Anton Matsak
and contribute to the protection of water bodies from
contaminants. Availability of data
The wastewater treatment efficiency of
phytoremediation models with the filtering nozzles Data are openly available in a public repository that
(made from used automobile tires and construction issues datasets with and without DOIs.
materials) was as follows: 40% for ammonium; 70%
for nitrates, nitrites, COD, and suspended solids; 28.5% References
for BOD ; 20% for chlorides; 23% for sulfates; 99%
5
for total iron; 28% for surfactants, and 99% for overall 1. Szczucka-Lasota B, Węgrzyn T, Łazarz B, Kamińska JA.
disinfection. These results confirm the effectiveness Tire pressure remote monitoring system reducing the

Volume 22 Issue 2 (2025) 213 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025080051