OPTIONS FOR MITIGATING THE WASTE TIRE PROBLEM

There is now a general public awareness throughout the U.S. that a waste tire problem exists. However, there is still controversy about the best solution to the problem and how we get there from here. This chapter provides options to address the problem. Several of them may need to be utilized to solve the tire problem. 

Over 2 billion waste tires have accumulated in the United States. Some are in carefully controlled tire stockpiles. Many more are in uncontrolled tire dumps. Millions more are scattered at random in ravines, deserts, woods, and empty lots across the country. Each year 242 million more scrap tires are generated. Some of the waste tires are infested with mosquitoes capable of spreading diseases. Large tire piles often constitute a fire hazard. Most tire and solid waste professionals agree that a tire problem exists. 

Tires are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Besides the major nuisance of mosquito bites, mosquitoes can spread several serious diseases. 

Uncontrolled tire dumps are a fire hazard. Fires in tire dumps have burned for months, creating acrid smoke and leaving behind a hazardous oily residue. A few tire fire locations have become Superfund sites. 

Tires should be utilized at their highest value. This means reuse or retreading first, followed by reuse of the rubber to make rubber products or paving and then combustion and disposal. At present, the preferred uses do not accommodate all the tires, and disposal must be utilized to a large degree. 

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An integrated solution is needed to the waste tire problem. Both government and industry need to work together to develop markets for scrap tires and to ensure proper disposal of those tires that are not recycled and are not incinerated for their energy value. In the next two sections of this chapter, options for mitigating the scrap tire problem are discussed. 

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