Seventy percent of scrap tires in the United States are used again in a variety of applications, according to Rubber Manufacturer Association (RMA) statistics.
"The rate of scrap tires sent to market is higher than several better-known commodities such as paper (62.5%), glass (50%) or aluminum cans (35%)," say RMA officials.
Approximately 270 million tires are scrapped in the U.S. each year -- 1.8% of the country's total solid waste output.
Scrap tires are used to fuel cement kilns, pave roads, cover playgroud surfaces and line landfills, among other purposes. "The most dynamic market for scrap tires is in civil engineering applications," says RMA Vice President Michael Blumenthal.
While no federal laws regulate scrap tire disposal, 48 states have passed laws that deal with the issue.
