280 million waste tires are produced each year in the United States. 
235 million of these are passenger car tires. 

Most states do not allow whole tires in landfills for the following reasons:

• Tires that are buried tend to work or “float” their way to the top of the landfill and become exposed again
• Exposed whole tires are excellent breeding grounds for insects, especially mosquitoes
• Exposed tires are fire hazards
• A typical passenger tire weighs 20 lbs (9.1 kg).  At 229 million wasted per year, that equals the equivalent of 4,586,400,000 lbs or 2,293,000 tons
• A typical 20 lb passenger tire is approximately 60% rubber, 20% steel, and 20% other waste products such as fiber, oils, waxes and pigments

Potential Uses

Waste tires can be ground and used:

• In asphalt for paving streets and highways
• As a low weight, high volume fill for septic systems
• As playground cover
• As drainage and fill materials in highway applications

Waste tires can be shredded and used as:

•  Mulch in flower beds
•  Landfill liners and daily covers

Whole waste tires can be used: In retaining walls As artificial reefs and breakwaters

Note:  Tires used in all of the above applications must meet the requirements 
            of all applicable specifications and guidelines.

Waste Tires in Paving Applications

• Waste tires can be ground and used in a variety of paving applications.
• This ground tire product is also known as Crumb Rubber Modifier (CRM)
• CRM can be blended into hot liquid asphalt, resulting in what is known as Asphalt-Rubber Binder (ASTM D8 and D6114)

 

• Asphalt Rubber Binder can be used in traditional Hot Mix Asphalts, crack sealers, Open Graded Friction Courses, Stress Absorbing Membranes, and subgrade seals.