Michigan DEQ implements changes to tire program.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has implemented changes to its scrap tire program that are expected to reduce the burdens in handling, processing and recycling scrap tires.

The changes are a result of a package of bills signed into law by Michigan's Gov. Jennifer Granholm 

One of the changes classifies certain types of high value scrap tire materials such as tire derived fuel as a commodity largely exempt from regulation as a scrap tire in an effort to facilitate the processing of these commodity materials.

Other major changes include:

* Providing the local fire chief the authority to determine that collection site access roads do not meet emergency vehicle accessibility requirements;

* Prohibiting scrap tires from being placed in open spaces between piles or being used to create on site roads;

* Simplifing the manifest requirements by allowing a consolidated load manifest for certain loads;.

* Requiring owners of a portable shredding operation to register with the DEQ as a collection site; and

* Exempting retreaders from hauler registration requirements and establishes record-keeping requirements for retreaders; and

* Extends the sunset on Scrap Tire Program funding until 2012.

A complete list of the changes to Michigan's scrap tire program is available at www.RecyclingToday.com.