Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Best Places to Work
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • War in Ukraine
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • Airless Tires
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
    • Rubber In Automotive Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
August 20, 2015 02:00 AM

Liberty Tire closes recycling plant damaged in fire

Rubber & Plastics News Report
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Liberty Tire Recycling has officially closed the Louisville tire recycling plant that was damaged in a fire last November.

    According to a company statement issued Aug. 19, Liberty Tire worked with the state of Kentucky on the discontinuation of collection and processing activities in Louisville with the goal of closing the plant July 31.

    “The company successfully achieved that goal,” Liberty Tire said. Although the company has left the site permanently, it will continue to work onsite with the state to complete the agreed-upon remediation there, it said.

    The plant, located on Bohannon Avenue in Louisville, caught fire Nov. 3, 2014. The blaze began in a 30-foot outdoor pile of scrap tires, just as state inspectors arrived to see if Liberty Tire was complying with orders issued after the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection issued citations at the site in June 2014.

    The fire burned for more than 30 hours, according to news reports. More than 40 firefighters were on the scene, and police ordered residents of the neighborhood to stay indoors and seal their doors, windows and ventilation systems against smoke, soot and particulate matter.

    The main reason for closing the Louisville facility, Liberty Tire said, was because the local market wasn't strong enough to support a full-scale tire recycling operation.

    “The only viable option for the amount of volume in that market was to shred and landfill the tires, which is not Liberty Tire Recycling's goal,” the company said.

    Liberty Tire will increase capacity at its other Kentucky facilities, where stronger markets will support the company's recycling initiatives, it said.

    Betty Manning and Michael Bickel, two residents of the Valley Station neighborhood where the Louisville plant was located, filed a class action lawsuit against Liberty Tire Nov. 7 in Jefferson County (Ky.) Circuit Court. Manning and Bickel sought compensatory and punitive damages for themselves and approximately 1,000 Valley Station residents who were affected by the fire.

    There was no immediate word as to the status of the lawsuit.

    Related Articles
    Liberty Tire Recycling completes financial restructuring
    Whitney named CEO of Liberty Tire Recycling
    Liberty pays off public bonds early
    Ohio EPA awards two scrap tire grants
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Bolder, Liberty Tire collaboration sets stage for more circular industry
    2
    Formula DRIFT proving Giti's prowess, raising innovation bar
    3
    'Made in America': Giti bringing premium tires, in-demand sizes to U.S. plant
    4
    Goodyear to halve capacity at German plant, cut jobs
    5
    Enviro's Sorensson, Blomqvist named to JV Board of Directors
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Best Places to Work
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • War in Ukraine
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • Airless Tires
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
        • Rubber In Automotive Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION