Storage of waste tyres causes serious environmental pollution and health issues, especially when they are left untreated in stockpiles and landfills. Waste tyres could be subjected to pyrolysis and activation in order to produce activated carbon, which is an effective adsorbent, and can find various applications, such as for wastewater treatment, removal of metals and dyes, energy storage devices, electrode materials, etc. Activated carbon (AC) is a non-polar and non-graphite material having high porosity and excellent adsorption capabilities, making it one of the most frequently used adsorbents in various industries. It is normally produced from carbon-rich materials such as coal, coconut shells, waste tyres, biowaste, etc. The use of waste tyres for the production of AC is a sustainable alternative to conventional sources (such as coconut shells and coal) as it supports the concept of a circular economy. Since AC sourced from waste tyres is a new area, this study reviews the methods for the preparation of AC, the types of activation, the forms of activated carbon, and the factors affecting the adsorption process. This study also reviews various applications of AC derived from waste tyres, with a specific focus on the removal of different pollutants from wastewater. Activated carbon derived from the waste tyres was found to be a versatile and economically viable carbon material, which can contribute towards safeguarding the environment and human health.

Increasing urbanization and development of automobile industry have given rise to an increase in global tyre waste generation. In Australia, it is estimated that around 450,000 tonnes of tyres reach their end-of-life annually and a large percentage of it is disposed to landfill or on-site burial or is stockpiled. This poses a significant environmental and safety risk, since such sites act as a breeding ground for pests and present a significant fire hazard. Hence it is essential to increase the recycling of this hazardous waste. This paper presents a review of the recycling of end-of-life tyres (EOLT) in Australia to produce tyre-derived products (TDPs), which traditionally has been based on mechanical recycling methods (using a series of shredders, screens, and granulators). Key TDPs from Australian tyre recovery include shredded tyres, crumb rubber and baled tyres. There is currently an emerging market in Australia for chemical recycling of tyres, which are typically based on pyrolysis and gasification processes. The produced TDPs have a variety of applications, with key most productive markets being that for crumb rubber in road sprayed seals and rubber granules in soft-fall surfaces and rubber matting in playgrounds and so on. There is a strong emerging market for rubberized concrete, which can be used as lightweight fill and as a drainage medium in landfills. New processing technologies like tyre pyrolysis to generate oil and tyre-derived fuel and also strongly emerging technologies. With a strong push for sustainable design initiatives, TDPs are also being used in permeable pavements, a water sensitive design strategy that is gaining popularity in Australia.