There are at least 275 million scrap tires in stockpiles in the US. In addition, approximately 290 million scrap tires were generated in 2003.
Markets now exist for about 80 percent of scrap tires up from 17 percent in 1990. The states have played a major role in tackling this problem by regulating the hauling, processing, and storage of scrap tires; and by working with industry to recycle and beneficially use scrap tires, through developing markets for the collected scrap tires.
This website provides general information on scrap tires, including:
- Where You Live links to state and EPA regional information
- Basic Information overview and statistics on scrap tire management, information about tire pile cleanup.
- Markets overview of scrap tire markets. Three large markets are described in additional detail: tire-derived fuel, civil engineering, and ground rubber used in highways and other applications.
- Laws/statutes particularly, state scrap tire legislation and programs
- Health and Environmental Concerns
- Science/technology innovative uses of scrap tires
- Frequent Questions - answers to commonly asked questions about scrap tires
- Publications - links to EPA publications and other non-EPA publications
- Related Links - links to EPA, state, automotive, and other general resources with regard to scrap tires
- Scrap Tire Workgroup overview, goals and action plans