A retread, also known as "recap," (or "remould" in the UK) is a manufacturing process designed to extend the useful lifespan of a worn tire. The word retread can also refer to a tire which has been taken through this process. Retreading starts with a safety inspection of the tire. The old tread is then buffed away, and a new rubber tread is applied to the bare "casing" using specialized machinery. Retreads are significantly cheaper than new tires. As a result, they are widely used in large-scale operations such as trucking, bussing and commercial aviation. They are also the most environmentally friendly way of recycling used tires - in some applications, a tire can be retreaded up to 10 times. Recycled rubber from retreads, and also non-retreaded tires, can be shredded to make rubber mulch. During World War II, the term "retread" was used to describe Army officers who had left the service before the war began for any reason (failure of promotion, medical disqualification, reduction in force, retirement, etc.), but who had been recalled to active duty in the Army Reserve for the duration of the war. The aptness of the term is apparent when one considers the industrial application of the term to tires.
