October 19, 2009
Everybody's jumping on the BAN-wagon
Lead wheel weights give way to viable alternatives
By: Bob Ulrich
Group mentality -- Wheel weight companies support EPA initiative
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched its National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initiative in August of 2008. It was developed as “a partnership among federal agencies, states, wheel weight manufacturers, retailers, tire manufacturers, automobile trade associations and environmentalists.”
Several wheel weight manufacturers are charter members: Hennessy Industries Inc. (BADA Division), Perfect Equipment Inc., the 3M Automotive Division and Plombco Inc.
Members with retail outlets include Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Costco Wholesale Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Tire & Lube Service Centers, Sam’s Club). Original equipment vehicle manufacturers are represented by Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Chrysler Group LLC and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers Inc.
Rounding out the list of charter members are the United States Air Force, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the General Services Administration; the town of Blacksburg, Va.; the Ecology Center and Sierra Club; the Environmental Council of States; and several small businesses.
Steel resolve -- Commercial Tire embraces lead-free wheel weights
Independent tire dealers like Les Schwab Tire Centers, Main Street Tire & Auto and Commercial Tire Inc. have moved away from lead wheel weights.
Les Schwab Tire Centers, based in Bend, Ore., and Main Street Tire, a one-store outlet in Vancouver, Wash., are now lead-free.
Commercial Tire, a 32-store dealership based in Meriden, Idaho, has been transitioning from lead wheel weights to BADA steel weights. President Bob Schwenkfelder says his stores install close to 15,000 wheel weights a month.
“The industry is moving more and more toward eliminating lead wheel weights, with some states even passing legislation to ban lead weights altogether. I certainly wanted to keep Commercial Tire ahead of the pack, and start the transition to steel to provide a better quality, eco-friendly product to our customers.”
Schwenkfelder says it has been an easy transition for his technicians. Now it’s time to educate his customers about the environmental benefits of steel wheel weights.
“Most drivers don’t know they have lead weights in their tires, much less (that) there is a better, eco-friendly option available.”
Sign up for our Enews and receive the latest news, trends, and product information right in your e-mail inbox.