Kuwait Starts to Recycle Massive Tire Graveyard

Kuwait Starts to Recycle Massive Tire Graveyard
A Syrian contractor, Ibrahim Kamal, stands amongst used tires destined for recycling in Salmi, Kuwait, on Sep. 4, 2021. Stephanie McGehee/Reuters
Reuters
Updated:

KUWAIT—More than 42 million old vehicle tires dumped in Kuwait’s sands have started to be recycled, as the Gulf state tackles a waste problem that created one of the world’s largest tire graveyards.

The massive dumpsite was a mere 4 miles from a residential suburb. Residents were bothered by periodic large fires releasing noxious black smoke.