Scrap tire management has been a serious concern over the past decade.
Discarded tires are one of the most difficult auto repair wastes to
dispose of. For many years the solution was to stockpile old tires in tire
dumps. This has been going on so long that estimates of the number of tires
stored this manner range from 750 million to 3 billion. An additional 250
million tires are scrapped every year, with a portion of these added to the tire
dumps. Many of the stockpiles continue to receive more scrap tires each year.
(See Tables 1 and 2 in Appendix L, for further information on scrap tire
generation.) Since the first scrap tire law was passed in 1985, 49 out of 50
States have addressed scrap tire management through specific scrap tire laws and
regulations or through State solid waste or transportation legislation.
Until 1985, most waste tires were buried in
landfills or stockpiled at waste tire dumps. Tires are no longer buried
at sanitary landfills, as they do not easily compact or decompose, and take up
valuable landfill space. Tires
disposed of in this way present a potential fire hazard that could threaten
natural resources by polluting air, soil and water.
Uncontrolled burning of tires releases toxins into the air, soils,
and even groundwater. State law
prohibits the open burning of waste tires.
They
burn very hot and are very difficult to extinguish. They may pose a safety
hazard for fire personnel and others in the area.
Discarded tires are an excellent
breeding ground for disease-carrying pests and rodents.
Just one tire left outdoors can retain enough rainwater to breed hundreds
of thousands of mosquitoes,
which have been known to transmit two strains of encephalitis — La Crosse and
western equine.
Since 1991 all land disposal of tires has been prohibited by state law due to the many environmental hazards created by burying, dumping and the open burning of waste tires.
Appendix M has information on California’s scrap tire management
legislation and programs in a matrix for each program. It is intended to provide
California’s regulators, as well as members of industry, with a quick
reference on scrap tire programs.
The matrix for California’s program contains eight sections. The
“State Contact” section provides general contact information of the scrap
tire program manager for the California. The
“Legislation and Regulations” section briefly outlines the history of scrap
tire legislation for the California. The “Funding Sources/Fees” section
addresses the State funds and collection fees authorized by the State. The
“Collector, Seller, and Hauler Regulations” section summarizes the
regulations that apply to these entities. Similarly, the “Storage and
Processor Regulations” and the “Disposal Restrictions” sections outline
relevant regulatory requirements. The “Financial/Market Incentives” section
discusses grants and other programs that foster better scrap tire
disposal/recycling waste management and reduction. The “Additional
Information” section provides information about activities of interest related
to scrap tires in a particular State, such as special field tests or studies,
and innovative uses for scrap tires.
Prolong the life of your tires through proper maintenance. You will not only save money, but also reduce the number of tires that need to be recycled. Tires are designed to last up to 80,000 miles, however, most tire owners get less than half of this mileage out of their tires. Proper tire maintenance improves gas mileage and provides better handling of your vehicle, saving you money.
The Scrap Tire Management Council estimates that, in 1996, of the 266
million scrap tires generated in the United States, approximately 24.5 million
were recycled for purposes such as ground rubber in products and asphalt
highways, stamped products, and agricultural and miscellaneous uses. An
additional 10 million were beneficially used in civil engineering projects.
These civil engineering uses are presented separately from the recycling figure
because, although some are recycled into products such as artificial reefs or
septic system drain fields, many are used in landfill construction and
operation. In addition, 152.5 million were combusted for energy recovery, and 15
million were exported. The remaining 64 million were landfilled or disposed of
in either legal or illegal stockpiles.
The Reduce/Reuse/Recycle approach is slowing the rate at which tires are
stockpiled. The design of all types of tires has advanced such that modern tires
last considerably longer than those of just a generation ago; this has reduced
the number of waste tires generated. Portions of the tires that are discarded
are retreaded for reuse. Retreading is especially environmentally friendly with
respect to energy conservation, since retreading a tire requires only about 1/3
of the crude oil needed to manufacture a new tire.
The bulk of the tires scrapped in the United States are recycled to
recover their energy content. About 150 million tires are shredded and ground up
annually to be burned together with other fuels in industrial facilities,
including cement kilns, pulp and paper mills, and electric generating stations.
A smaller number (about 25 million per year) are used to make floor mats, shoe
soles, electrical insulators, racetrack surfacing, and as an additive for
asphalt used in paving, among other products.
Most tire dealers will accept your old tires for a small fee. Help protect the environment and pay the small fee to ensure that your tires are disposed of properly. Check with the following for more information on disposal options:
When purchasing tires, consider purchasing the highest quality tire you
can afford. High demand/performance tires likely incorporate more natural
rubber, which has greater tensile strength, resilience and resistance to
abrasions, impacts and temperature changes. Other ways to get the most out of
your tires:
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