Missouri cleans up 16 million scrap tires

Jan. 26, 2011

Sixteen million scrap tires destined for recycling have been cleaned up so far in Missouri as part of the state’s tire-dump cleanup program, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The state’s tire dump clean-up effort, which began in 1990, has resulted in 983 sites being cleaned up, a move the state has addressed to reduce environmental and health threats.

To fund these cleanups, the state charges a 50-cent-per-tire scrap tire fee on every new tire purchased in Missouri; the fee expires Jan. 1, 2015, unless extended by the legislature.

The department estimates there are more than 231,000 tires remaining to be cleaned up throughout the state in 185 known dump sites. The department estimates there are 500,000 tires remaining in unknown dumps.

In 2009, 1.75 million tires were used as tire-derived-fuel in power plants and cement kilns. The department is also working with the Missouri Department of Transportation to promote the use of scrap tires in asphalt for Missouri's roadways.