TIA's Gust emphasizes importance of EPA scrap tire ruling

Jan. 1, 2020
Dick Gust, co-chairman of the Tire Industry Association's Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), says he was genuinely relieved to hear about the Environmental Protection Agency?s (EPA) Feb. 23 decision to not classify scrap tires as solid waste under
Dick Gust, co-chairman of the Tire Industry Association's Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), says he was genuinely relieved to hear about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Feb. 23 decision to not classify scrap tires as solid waste under the Clean Air Act.

“Clearly, the EPA has listened to the industry and understands the valuable asset scrap tires provide as a cost effective energy resource,” he says.

“Although the tire recycling industry is developing many new product uses for scrap tires, the use of tire-derived fuel produced from scrap tires continues to represent the single largest market for the nearly 300 million scrap tires generated in the U.S. annually,” Gust reports.

Industry data pegs the number of scrap tires consumed as alternative fuel at around 50 million tires.

According to Gust, the loss or reduction of this market would have had a dire economic impact on the tire recycling industry, and he couldn’t believe that the EPA wasn’t focused on the fact that recovering resources that replace petroleum products has never been more important than it is today.

Gust elaborates further on some of the “what ifs;” stating that “had the markets for tire-derived fuel declined, the cost for disposal for the tire collector/recycler would have increased, since the scrap would had to have been disposed of at a landfill - for a cost - as opposed to selling the material as fuel.”

 

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He goes on to note that “in addition, since disposing of scrap tires at a landfill is not allowed in certain areas, the scrap material would encounter higher transportation costs to areas that would accept tires. All of these cost increases to the recycler would eventually find their way back to the retail generator.”

Since these restrictions on utilizing landfills often lead to illegal disposal activities, the tire dealer would be faced with major liability concerns, should the collector be less than honest, according to Gust.

“The dealer would face more scrutiny and possible fines from enforcement officers who would attempt to reduce the potential for illegal activities. In the past, when illegal dumping occurred, the taxpayer often suffered as well, since they ultimately would pay the cost for clean up when the culprits could not be located,” he says.

“The EAC thanks TIA and the coalition of associations and industries who devoted their time to express their position and concerns to the EPA,” adds Gust. “Fortunately, the EPA recognized that the tire recycling industry today is lead by professional organizations that understand the value of the scrap tire as a resource and properly manage that resource for the benefit of business, industry and the environment.”

For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org.