US Tire Recycling Facts and Statistics

Updated on: 1st August 2023 By:     Kieran Donnelly

Tire recycling is a waste management process for end-of-life tires that are no longer suitable for use on vehicles due to wear or irreparable damage. These tires are a challenging source of waste, due to the large volume produced, the durability of the tires, and the components in the tire that are environmentally problematic.

The implications of improper tire disposal can be devastating to the both environment and even public health, which is why there is a global focus to pursue responsible tire recycling alternatives, especially within the US.

As a leading manufacturer and global distributor of waste management solutions, Gradeall has developed an impressive fleet of tire recycling machinery. We understand the logistics of managing tire waste and our innovative machinery is built to streamline the entire tire recycling process.

Tire recycling in the US

In the United States, the recycling of tires has become an important part of reducing this type of waste and investing in more sustainable waste management solutions. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the shocking tire recycling statistics in the U.S. and explore how they have navigated this sustainable alternative.

1. Each state in the US has its own tire recycling program. These programs are funded by fees which are collected when new tires are sold. The fees range from $0.50 to $2.00 per tire.
2. Approximately 280 million tires are discarded each year by American motorists, which equates to around one tire for every person in the United States.
3. Around 76% of the waste tires generated are recycled in the U.S.
4. According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, in 2019, the U.S. scrap tire management market reached a record high with 76.3% of scrap tires managed in end-use markets.
5. The U.S. has almost 1 billion scrap tires in stockpiles, a decrease of 94% since 1990.
6. The largest tire fire in the United States occurred in Winchester, Virginia, in 1983. Arsonists ignited seven million tires that burned for nine months, polluting nearby areas with lead and arsenic. The location was cleaned up as a Superfund project from 1983 to 2002.

Below, we’ll take a look at tire recycling statistics and facts about different states. Tire recycling regulations vary from state to state and it’s interesting to see how each of them has developed their own waste solution.

Tire Recycling Colorado

Tire recycling in Colorado is a well-regulated process, and there are several programs and facilities dedicated to it. Here are some key points about the industry.

1. The Colorado Waste Tire Program is managed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). It was established to oversee the proper management and disposal of waste tires. The program provides oversight for waste tire storage and recycling facilities and enforces compliance with regulations.
2. Front Range Tire Recycle, Inc is one of the major tire recycling facilities in Colorado. They have been collecting and recycling waste tires since 1996.
3. Colorado’s Waste Tire Cleanup Fund was established to assist in cleaning up illegal tire piles and to promote markets for recycled tire products. The fund is financed by a $1.50 waste tire fee that is charged on the sale of every new tire in the state.

Tire Recycling Denver, Colorado

1. The Tire Recycling Drop-off Program in Denver allows residents to drop off their old tires at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off Center. There is a small fee for this service, and it is only available to Denver residents.

Tire Recycling Texas

Tire recycling in Texas is a significant operation, with several programs and facilities dedicated to it. Check out these points about how the state is handling tire waste.

1. All American Tire Recycling is a premier tire recycling center and leading manufacturer of crumb rubber in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Their recycled rubber products support sustainable asphalt roads, provide green energy solutions, and become a variety of recycled tire-derived products.
2. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees the proper management and disposal of waste tires. They maintain a list of registered scrap tire generators, transporters, storage sites, scrap tire facilities including processing or recycling operations, or energy recovery facilities, and land reclamation projects using tires.

Tire recycling Houston, Texas

1. Genan Plant in Houston is the world’s leading tire recycling company. It has a $140 million state-of-the-art plant in northeast Houston. This 40-acre plant, the largest of its kind in the world, plans to recycle 10 million tires each year. The company extracts and produces rubber granulate, rubber powder, and steel from scrap tires for resale in various applications.

Tire Recycling Illinois

Tire recycling in Illinois is managed by several programs and facilities and they have many strict regulations to facilitate the process. Here are some key facts and figures about tire recycling in Illinois.

1. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a significant role in the management of used and waste tires in Illinois. They also operate a cleanup program to remove waste tires from public and abandoned dump sites.
2. Treadstone Tire Recycling has been recycling tires for over 15 years. They are licensed by and work in partnership with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that local Chicagoland tires are recycled properly.
3. All tire retailers in Illinois must submit a one-time Used Tire Notification to the Illinois EPA. If a retailer is also a used tire storage site, they must submit an annual Used Tire Notification and Registration.
4. Illinois tire retailers must collect a $2.50 per tire user fee from retail tire customers. This fee is used to fund the State of Illinois Used Tire Management Program.
5. Any person who transports more than 20 used tires in Illinois must register the vehicle(s) with the Illinois EPA and display a placard on each registered vehicle.

Tire recycling in the U.S. may differ from state to state but the main objective is the same across the whole nation, to develop more sustainable methods in tire recycling and keep them out of landfill sites or illegal dumps.

Tire recycling a global effort

Whilst the U.S. has made great strides in tire recycling, it’s also important to note that it needs to be a global effort, requiring international collaboration to handle this type of waste responsibly.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out others: U.K. Tyre Recycling Facts | The Tire Recycling Process | Recycled Tire Uses.

If you would like to discuss enhancing your tire recycling operation, with industry-leading tire recycling machinery, you can do so by getting in touch with us at Gradeall.

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