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Collaboration and Partnerships
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
RCC Scrap Tire Workgroup
EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Geographic location or area of activity: National
Description of activity: The Scrap Tire Workgroup contributes to the overall goals of Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC), a multi-faceted initiative implemented by USEPA with three overarching goals: 1. to prevent pollution and promote recycling and reuse of materials; 2. to reduce the use of toxic chemicals; and 3. to conserve energy and materials.
The Scrap Tire Workgroup of the RCC addresses various issues related to scrap tire management and markets. At the end of 2003, the U.S. generated approximately 290 million scrap tires. Historically, these scrap tires took up space in landfills or provided breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents when stockpiled or illegally dumped. Fortunately, markets now exist for 80% of these scrap tires, up from 17% in 1990. The remaining scrap tires are still stockpiled or landfilled; however, recycling and beneficial use markets continue to grow.
The overall goals of the workgroup are (1) to divert 85% of newly generated scrap tires to reuse, recycling or energy recovery by 2008 (vs. 70% in 2003), and (2) to reduce by 55% the number of tires in existing (270 million in 2003) stockpiles by 2008. The workgroup is working with outside stakeholders on a methodology for calculating progress on goal (1) and waiting for biannual data. Progress to date on goal (2) includes a 31.6% reduction in the number of tires in existing stockpiles (through 2005; 2007 numbers not yet available).
Interagency partners:
Federal: Federal Highways Administration
States: Arkansas Dept. of Environmental Quality,California Integrated Waste Management Board, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection,Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Kentucky Dept. of Environmental Protection, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation, Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality, Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, Montana Dept. Of Environmental Quality, North Carolina Division of Waste Management , New Mexico Environment Dept., Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental Quality , South Carolina Dept. of Health and Environmental Control, South Dakota Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste, Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Academic: Clemson University and University of Maine
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Local partners: DK Enterprises, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, JaiTire Portland Cement Industries, Inc., Liberty Tire Services Inc., PolyVulc, Portland Cement Association, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Association, Recycling Research Institute /Scrap Tire News, Rubber Applications & Technologies, Rubber Pavement Association, Rubber Manufacturers Association, TAG Resource Recovery, Tex-American Recycling and Tire Disposal, Tire Industry Association, Tri-Rinse, Inc
Activity URL: https://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/materials/tires/workgroup.htm