The first Tire Industry Association (TIA) Environmental Symposium, to be held Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2010, at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, Md., is more than a symposium.
The three-event will be held in conjunction with events from the following three organizations:
1. Washington, Maryland & Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association;
2. Chesapeake Automotive Business Association; and
3. Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades.
The TIA Environmental Symposium begins with a golf tournament and welcome reception on Thursday, Sept. 30. On Friday, Oct. 1, Dick Gust and Larry Brandt, co-chairmen of TIA’s new Environmental Advisory Council, will host two days of seminars. Here is the seminar list.
Friday, Oct. 1
8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., “TIA Goes Green.” Gust will talk about EAC products, services and programs designed “to help you institute various green measures and increase your profits.”
8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., “Orange is the New Green.” Dan Guiney, director of technical services for Yokohama Tire Corp., will talk about the use of an alternative renewable material – orange oil – and how it reduces the company’s environmental footprint “without compromising product performance.” Yokohama has incorporated orange oil technology together with a unique inner liner to produce the dB Super E-spec, a passenger tire that is 80% petroleum-free.
9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., “Environmental Best Practices for the Tire and Service Station Dealer.” Automotive service experts Scott Pate and Debbie Strawhead of Sierra Piedmont Inc. share their experiences from serving thousands of retail automotive facilities over the last 15 years.
10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m., “Michelin and Sustainability.” Don Baldwin, product marketing manager for Michelin North America Inc., will take attendees through the activities that support Michelin’s sustainable transportation and freight movement.
11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., “Maryland Scrap Tire Program: Tire Stockpile Cleanups and Recycled Tire Market Development Efforts.” Allan Lassiter, waste program manager for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and James Woods, associate engineer for the Maryland Department of the Environment, will bring attendees up to date on the cleanup of scrap tires in the state, which includes their use in rubberized asphalt pavement and green roofs.
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., “Greening Highways Means Saving Money and the Environment.” Doug Carlson, executive director of the Rubber Pavements Association, will moderate a panel discussion on the most common methods of using “end-of-life” tires as a beneficial engineering material in asphalt pavements -- including the use of scarp tire rubber as a thin friction course surfacing on aged concrete. Speakers from FNF Construction, Rutgers University and the New Jersey Department of Transportation fill out the panel.
2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., “Superfund Issues Affecting the Tire Industry.” Gary Letcher, esquire, from the Law Office of Gary R. Letcher PC, will brief attendees on the current status of Superfund liability for tires, oil and other discarded automotive materials. Think Superfund is not an issue anymore? The federal Environmental Protection Agency recently notified more than 100 tire dealers in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia that they may be liable for clean-up costs from a 2006 tire fire in Ashland, Ky.
3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., “Separating Myths from Facts Concerning the Use of Recycled Rubber Products.” Mike Wezel, vice president of sales and marketing for Liberty Tire Recycling, will try to dispel myths with the help of documented evidence. Study after study has concluded that the use of crumb rubber in products such as synthetic turf or playground surfaces poses no health or environmental risk.
Saturday, Oct. 2
9 a.m. to 9 45 a.m., “What Dealers Can and Should Do to Become Greener.” John Sheerin, retail environment director for Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC, will take an in-depth look at which practices offer the best opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of typical tire, battery and automotive service facilities.
10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., “One Team, One Planet: Thinking Green for a Better Tomorrow.” Bob Handlos, vice president of product development for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is the speaker (see “TIA says it’s easy being green”).
10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., “Eco-Friendly Tire and Auto Care.” Matt Curry, president of Curry’s Auto Service Inc., has a track record of operating his five Virginia-based stores in an eco-friendly manner. For example, he recycles almost everything that comes in the door -- oils, antifreeze, chemicals, refrigerants, metals, tires, coffee cups, paper and more. From basic to visionary, this session has what you need to start your own green program.
For more information on the symposium in general and seminars in particular, visit www.tireindustry.org.
