Facts About Tires

The EPA estimates that only 35.3 percent of the millions of tires sold in 2009 were recycled.

There are several environmental and health concerns when disposing of tires in landfills or in tire stockpiles:

• Many tire stockpiles are burned. This creates heavy black smoke and oily residue on soil. The fires are typically difficult to extinguish due to the oil in the tires.
• Tire stockpiles are suitable breeding grounds for vermin. Tires collect large pools of water, the perfect atmosphere for mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like encephalitis or dengue fever.

Tires are viewed as a one of the most problematic sources of waste. This is mainly due to the high quantities produced and their great durability, prohibiting the tire from breaking down. However, their durability makes reuse and recycling of scrap tires easy. By recycling tires we also reduce the amount of raw rubber needed for manufacturing, saving natural resources like crude oil.

From 1990 to 2003, the total number of scrap tires going to market increased from 11 million to 233 million. Of all the scrap tires discarded today, over 75 percent are recycled or used for fuel or other applications.