Scrap tire recycling rates reach 77%. (Market Focus).

Over 75% of scrap tires generated in the nation are being put to productive uses, according a report issued by the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Additionally, state cleanup programs and effective regulations continue to reduce stockpiled scrap tires despite an increasing vehicle population on the nation's roads over the past decade.

"Since 1990, the RMA and its members not only have worked with state regulators and legislators to create effective scrap tire cleanup programs, but we also have worked with public officials and the private sector to promote end use markets for scrap tires," said Michael Blumenthal, RMA senior technical director.

The use of scrap tires in end use markets has soared from 11% to 77% since 1990. Nearly 220 million scrap tires were used in end markets in 2001.

"Seventy-seven percent of the 281 million scrap tires produced last year went to end use markets," Blumenthal said. "That rate is ten times higher than ten years ago. Compared to other secondary materials such as glass, plastics, and aluminum, tires have a higher rate of recovery" he added.

Scrap tires are used in a number of productive and environmentally safe applications. One of the most common markets for scrap tires is ground rubber, which is used to make playground surfaces, running tracks and molded rubber goods. The largest use for ground rubber continues to be asphalt rubber, winch is used in road construction. However, some obstacles remain to broader use of asphalt rubber.

"To a large extent, any large increase in the use of asphalt rubber depends on the level of interest and commitment by state departments of transportation," the RMA report noted. "There simply must be a willingness to accept this technology and make its use routine."

Blumenthal added that stare training programs offer the best hope to increase the use of asphalt rubber.

According to the RMA, the fastest growing market for scrap tires is civil engineering. Shredded scrap tires are used as fill for construction of highway embankments and bridge abutments. They "also are used in landfill construction projects in leachate collection systems, as well as gas venting systems and as part of the cap closure.

"Civil engineering is the fastest growing market for scrap tires" Blumenthal said. "Over the last two years, the market has doubled and we anticipate annual growth of 20-50% in the coming years."

The largest use of scrap tires is for tire-derived fuel, TDE Approximately 40% of scrap tires are used as a supplemental fuel in the cement, paper and electric industries.

"TDF is an environmentally sound alternate fuel for a number of industrial applications," Blumenthal said. "Since 1998, TDF use has increased due to its cost-effectiveness for cement kiln operations, a temporary spike in fuel prices and an improvement in quality of TDF. It also is an efficient fuel to help reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from cement kilns."

In addition to listing the numerous scrap tire successes over the past decade, the RMA's report also detailed some of the challenges facing future scrap tire clean up and market development.

Of the approximately 300 million tires still in stockpiles, about 85% are located in nine states--Texas, New York, Michigan, Alabama, Ohio, Colorado, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Five of those states--New York, Alabama, Texas, Michigan and Colorado--either have no comprehensive scrap tire management program or are not focusing their current program on stockpile abatement.

"The RMA will continue to work with state regulators and legislators to develop and implement effective scrap tire cleanup and management programs," Blumenthal said.

"The challenge we face is to continually grow scrap tire markets," Blumenthal said. "Over 300 million new tires are produced each year, and while tires last longer than ever before, eventually they will have to be replaced. Over the last decade, scrap tire markets have improved and are taking many waste tires and turning them into useful products. But we need to remain vigilant," he continued.

Blumenthal added that consumers can help maximize tire life with proper care. "Proper inflation pressure, rotating tires, wheel balancing and alignments will help motorists get the longest life possible from their tires. This saves consumers money by not having to buy new tires so often, and it helps the environment, too."