Developing Scrap Tire Programs along the US/Mexico Border

Michael BlumenthalSenior Technical Director

Rubber Manufacturers AssociationWashington, DC

RMA Tire Company Members

North America

RMA Scrap Tire Strategic Goals

• To promote the elimination of all scrap tire piles in an environmentally and economically sound manner

• To promote the management of all annually generated scrap tires in an environmentally and economically sound manner

RMA Scrap Tire Strategic Goals

• To seek public awareness of scrap tire management success

• To advocate for a legislative and regulatory environment that is supportive of the RMA scrap tire mission

US/Mexico Border Region

Tires on the US/Mexico Border

• Used tires brought into Mexico; many stay along border region

• Unlikely to stop flow of tires into Mexico

• Many stockpiles exist: No accurate data

• No markets exist; worsening pile growth

• Few markets on US side of border

TIRE SHOP

TEXAS BORDER

Salvage Yard

“Junk” Yonkes

Tire Repair Micro Business

Texas Mexico Border

Scrap Tire Situation in Mexico

• No Federal or State legislation or regulations on scrap tires exist

• No fees paid for disposal/transportation

• Limited processing capacity

• Used tires continue to be imported

• Private funds are scarce

MATAMOROS, TAMAULIPAS

REYNOSA, TAMAULIPAS

REYNOSA, TAMAULIPAS

PIEDRAS NEGRAS, COAHUILA

CD. JUÁREZ, CHIHUAHUA

CD. JUÁREZ, CHIHUAHUA

Scrap Tires Situation on US Side

• In general, few markets exists along the border region in the 4 border states

• California considering a border market development program

• Arizona not actively working along border region

Atlanta, Texas

EL PASO, TEXAS

Scrap Tires Situation on US Side

• Texas has several programs, but no state funds

• New Mexico has no state program, but border region programs are starting

• US EPA considers border region a priority, but has not committed funds

Border 2012

• US & Mexico developed Border 2012 in

2005 as a program to protect the environment & public health along the border region

• An objective of the program is to identify needs for waste management & pollution prevention as they pertain to…solid waste & toxic substances along the border

Border 2012

• One of the four priority issues identified by the Waste Policy Forum was tire piles prevention & clean up

• Stated goal of Border 2012 is to clean up three of the largest sites that contain abandoned scrap tires

Border 2012

• Stockpile abatement has begun

• Abated scrap tires going to Cemex (cement kilns) for fuel

• EPA & SEMARNAT looking to go beyond abatement program to create market infrastructure

SAMALAYUCA CEMENT PLANT

Other Initiatives

• Ciudad Juarez/El Paso: Began collection program; tires sent to Cemex

• Nuevo Laredo/Laredo: Have drop off site; tires being sent to Cemex

• Brownsville/Matamoros conducting a study on market options

Many Players Involved

• 7 Mexican Indigenous Peoples

• 26 US Tribes • 28 “Sister” cities • 4 regional working

groups• 3 border-wide

groups

• 3 policy forums• Task forces (many)• 3 EPA offices• 7 SEMARNAT

offices• 4 US state agencies• 6 Mexican states &

their agencies

RMA Involvement

• Presentations at 2 forums in Mexico• Working with SEMARNAT through the

Mexican Embassy to develop a scrap tire management plan for the border

• Chairs an Ad hoc working group that provides a centralized information base

• Member of the Scrap Tire Task Force (with EPA, SEMARNAT & states)

Opportunities

• Scrap tires have been identified as a priority issue

• State, Federal & international organizations looking to fund programs

• Abundant supply of tires

• Well developed industrial base along border region

Opportunities

• TDF is an accepted use for tires; potential end users exist along border

• There is considerable interest in rubber modified asphalt

• Civil engineering applications would be an easy fit

• Well developed transportation system

Challenges

• Neither EPA nor SEMERNAT has a budget for scrap tire programs

• Funds are going to hazardous waste and waste water projects

• Cross-border projects could mean having to deal with multiple levels of ‘red tape’ from multiple agencies

Suggested Approach

• Municipalities can become active players by creating demand for scrap tire-derived material

• Municipalities should seek opportunities to use tire shreds in civil engineering applications

• Use in road embankments can use large quantities of tires

Tire Shreds?

First load of shreds

Overview of construction

Spreading shreds with dozer

Completed embankment

BALED TIRESfor a

TEXAS HIGHWAYSLOPE REPAIR

Slope to be Repaired

Tire Bales Placed

Cover for Final Layer

Completed Slope

Composted Slope

Slope Repair at a LandfillSlope Repair at a Landfill

Slope Repair Slope Repair

Compost on Slope Compost on Slope

Prerequisites for Success

• Must have municipal leadership support

• Must have support from leadership of the Department of Public Works

• Must provide training sessions to DPW

• Must educate tire processors

• Price paid for tire shreds must be fair

• Must have commitment to success

Training Programs

• RMA has training program material on processing technology; civil engineering applications & business development

• RMA already committed to a civil engineering session in Columbus, NM-Palomas, Chih. area in early 2006

To Have a Training Course

• Municipal leaders must be present

• Decision makers from DPW must be present and commit to using tires

• Design engineers from DPW must be present

• Must have a “champion” to follow up and keep project on track

Market Development

• Some scrap tires already going to Cemex for fuel: should try to expand

• Civil engineering applications is a good second phase market for scrap tires

• Developing a ground rubber production operation in Mexico (i.e., for rubber modified asphalt) is probably not economically viable at this point in time

Market Development

• Creating “cottage Industry” to make products (door mats) from scrap tires could create jobs, income and an infrastructure

• RMA willing to approach mass merchandisers in US as a possible market

Components of Effective Legislation • Comprehensive regulation of generators,

collectors, processors and end users• Strong effective centralized administration and

enforcement oversight• Clear understanding of permitting requirements• Timely processing/review of permit applications• License/permit transporters• Tire tracking system

Components of Effective Legislation

• Limited time fee: dedicated fund – tamper proof

• Funds used to spur market development (no subsidies)

• Grants for testing• Grants for capital equipment to use tire

derived material• No money for processing capacity

Components of Effective Legislation

• Funds used to abate stockpiles– Mechanism for cost recovery– Mechanism for victims of dumping

   beef up enforcement

  • Gradual phase out of ability to landfill tires

Conclusions

• Unless/until Mexico enacts scrap tire legislation market development will be localized

• Lack of funds will limit pile abatement & market development programs

• Stockpiles will continue to enlarge

Conclusions

• Emphasis should be placed on existing resources (public & private)

• Training programs on “how to start” markets are needed

• Coordination among agencies is needed

• Niche markets could expand into regional markets

Contact InformationContact Information

Michael Blumenthal

Rubber Manufacturers Association202 682 4882

michael@rma.orgWWW.RMA.ORG/SCRAP_TIRES