There are about 300 million scrap tires produced every year in the United States (about 1 tire per person), of which roughly 259 million End up in some form of beneficial use, with around 241 million being Sent to one or more of the 3 major environmentally - safe and profitable markets listed below.
Tire Derived Fuel (TDF)
One of the first, and still the largest, market for processed scrap tires, is as a fuel. Tire Derived Fuel has become a popular source of cleaner energy, with a higher BTU than coal, stable and readily available, and requiring little preparation to burn. In a coal-burning plant, a pound of TDF may displace as much as 2 pounds of coal.
Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA)
Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA) has physical characteristics that make it well suited for many civil engineering applications. It has vibration damping properties which can be used in highway and light rail projects to minimize vibrations; as well as road beds, and supporting highway embankments. It also has good drainage properties for septic and leachate systems.
Mulch, Playground, Field Turf & Molded Products/Asphalt
Ground rubber, also referred to as crumb rubber, is a wire-free fine rubber particle which can be incorporated into rubber and plastic materials such as floor mats, vehicle mud guards, carpet padding, adhesives, playground cover, landscape cover. sporting arenas, and molded products.
For Profit and Planet
Recycling tires is good for the environment because it eliminates waste and the strain on landfills, it lowers the risk of fires, and reduces mosquito breeding and diseases. Learn more about the market for recycled tire product at:
rma.org
industrialresourcescouncil.org
epa.org
www.rubberpavements.org