The thick strand of wire on the inside edge of the tire that holds the tire on the rim is called bead wire. When separated before shredding, bead wire is usually easily marketed. Bead wire has very little rubber contamination and can be melted by most steel mills. At all times, the bead wire is removed prior to shredding on semi truck tires, but less frequently on passenger tires.

There is also steel found within the tread of a tire called belt wire. Belt wire is difficult to recycle because of greater rubber contamination. Rubber can cause dangerous situations in a steel mill's furnace.