In the bustling world of automotive technology, tires play an indispensable role. The tire market is worth billions of dollars, but only a few pause to ponder the consequences it bears. What damage does it cause to the environment and society? The tire industry sources natural rubber from Thailand, the biggest producer of rubber for tires, where labor conditions are harsh, and toxic herbicides are widespread.
Each year over 50 million car tires are sold in Germany alone, and people continue to demand more. This insatiable thirst for rubber comes at a cost to humanity and the natural world. The documentary probes into the production chain of rubber; who harvests it, how it is used, and what impact it has on the environment. Filmed on the plantations of Southeast Asia, the documentary delves into the lives of workers who toil under difficult conditions to provide the natural rubber that ultimately ends up in your car tires. Stay with us as we explore the intricacies of the global tire industry and unravel the mystery of why used tires aren’t being recycled effectively.