I find it hard to envision a world without tires and breaks. Perhaps there are safer compounds that could be used? Modern tires are really amazing in how long they last and their performance. Even if tires ended up being lesser quality, they'd still likely be much better than they were 50 years ago. That said, single use plastic packaging seems like something we could collectively do something about if we had the will. If laws were passed that made the producers economically responsible for the damage they are causing we'd have wide adoptions of alternatives quickly. I suppose the same could be said for the tire industry.