Everything you need to know about recycling rubber conveyor belts
FIND A RECYCLER
Learn more about recycling rubber conveyor belts
How to recycle conveyor belts
There are a select number of commercial operators that can recondition and/or recycle conveyor belts, as this process requires specialised equipment and skills. There are also number of secondhand dealers that will buy and sell used conveyor belts. Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you.
Why recycle?
Rubber conveyors belts at the end of their lifespan are large and cumbersome waste items and are the second largest rubber waste problem after used tyres. Left on-site, conveyor belts may present fire and safety hazards. Placing them in landfill is costly, represents a loss of valuable resources and may contaminate the environment.
Rubber conveyor belts can be effectively recycled, reused or reconditioned. Reconditioning a damaged belt is cheaper than purchasing a new belt, while reuse and recycling result in supply of affordable rubber products including floor mats, sheeting, rubber rails and stabilisation covering for sand dunes and soil. Additionally, these actions reduce energy and reduce the need to produce rubber from virgin material, including petroleum which is used in the production of synthetic rubbers.
What happens to it?
Reconditioning a conveyor belt involves the removal of the worn belt surface by a special buffing machine and then re-application of a new rubber top cover, followed by re-vulcanisation of the entire belt.
Recycling a conveyor belt involves the removal of steel reinforcement cords, which are cut out of the belt. These large steel cords are valuable and are also recovered for recycling. The belt is then sliced in to smaller sections for use in matting or rubber tiles. Otherwise it may be hole punched for use in stabilising solutions for sand dunes, waterways and paths.
