WASHINGTON (Feb. 24, 2011)—The Rubber Manufacturers Association is breathing a sigh of relief over a ruling today from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that preserves tire-derived fuel as a viable end-use for scrap tires.
Part of a massive set of final rules covering Clean Air Act treatment of industrial boilers and solid waste incinerators, the EPA document on definitions of non-hazardous waste stated that scrap tires removed from vehicles and handled through established scrap tire collection systems are not solid waste.
Originally in the proposed rule issued in April 2010, the EPA had recommended that scrap tires be processed to remove all metal, which would have greatly increased the cost of processing and using TDF. However, in the final rule, only tires that have been discarded in dumps or elsewhere must have all metal removed.
RMA President Charles A. Cannon stressed that the RMA's initial reaction is only a preliminary reading of the rule issued today, but said it was gratifying that the rule preserves scrap tire markets and ensures the continued success of scrap tire management programs.
“The EPA clearly listened to the arguments advocated by RMA and other key stakeholders,” Cannon said. “It would appear we're in excellent shape to continue to move scrap tires toward beneficial end-uses.