Speaking of recycling, tire-recycling initiatives can get a boost; as
the sidewalls of tires (easily available in tire parts) do not contain
steel belts, which may make sidewalls valued for ease of
recycling.(snip)

There is often a steel cable embedded underneath the bead of the
sidewall.
One of the recycling technologies used for tires these days is to burn
them for the heat they generate, in a furnace designed for making
limestone into cement powder. It is efficient, with the ash becoming
part of the cement.
Years ago, I remember seeing tire treads cut and shaped into soles of
sandals made in Mexico. There was also a company here in the US that
made used inner tubes into purses and wallets. I don't know if they're
still around.
Steel belts have certainly complicated the recycling of tires, for
which there used to be a good market.-Jitney