New York tire dealers seek changes in scrap tire law

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (Sept. 15)—New York tire dealers are unhappy with the state's new scrap tire law, and are trying with the help of the Tire Industry Association to create an alternative proposal for the state legislature to consider. The new law, which went into effect Sept. 12, requires New York tire retailers to collect a new $2.50-per-tire disposal fee, which is listed as a separate item on the invoice. However, only 30 percent of that fee goes to scrap tire management in the state, with the rest going to the general fund. Also, under the new law, dealers must include the price they pay to scrap tire haulers and recyclers in the advertised price of new tires. This reverses a long-accepted practice among New York tire dealers to list recycling costs separately and puts them at an apparent price disadvantage with tire dealers in neighboring states, according to TIA and the New York Tire Dealers Association. Furthermore, the 25 cents per tire that dealers are allowed to keep from the new fee don't begin to cover recycling costs, they said. A spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association said his association will work with TIA and the tire dealers to draft a proposal for an alternative program, but added it might not be ready in time for introduction in the current legislative session.