Cox Enterprises conservation center recycles tires using pyrolysis

Cox Enterprises, Atlanta, announced that its Golden Isles Conservation Center in Nahunta, Georgia, is using an Italian pyrolysis technology that uses organic materials, such as wood chips, to generate heat, breaking down tires into their original components to produce synthetic oil, carbon black, synthetic gas and steel.

"The Golden Isles Conservation Center shows that technology plays an important role in solving global environmental issues," says Cox Enterprises Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Alex Taylor. "This facility is another example of how committed we are to sustainability. This technology has been proven in Europe, and I'm excited that we're bringing it to the United States and benefiting a local community's economy.”

By repurposing the materials, the center has the capacity to remove the equivalent of 5 tons of tires from landfills and waterways daily. The synthetic oil can be used as a substitute for many fuel-based products. The recovered carbon black can be used in products such as rubber hoses, inks, tires and plastics. Steel can be reused to make many new products. The synthetic gas generates heat for the closed-loop process.

Initially focused on tires, the center will serve as a research and development (R&D) facility and explore repurposing additional waste stream products. The center is part of the company's national Cox Conserves sustainability program, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary. The program focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption and conserving water.

In addition to providing an environmental solution, the facility is making a positive impact on the local economy, according to Cox. Construction on the facility began in 2016 and has infused $5 million into Georgia's economy, with one-third of the amount going directly to Brantley County, Georgia-based companies. The facility is bringing five full-time jobs to Nahunta, which has a population of approximately 1,000. A community open house will be held in April for local residents to tour the facility.