WASHINGTON — More investment in industries that use recycled tires is necessary to keep up with an increasing amount of scrap tires generated, according to a new report by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA).
The "2021 Scrap Tire Management Report" found that markets consumed 71 percent of annually generated scrap tires in 2021, down from about 76 percent reported in 2019. This decrease is due primarily to a nearly 13-percent increase in scrap tire generation, while markets that consume them increased by 6 percent, the report said.
The report noted that scrap-tire recycling outperforms metal, glass, aluminum, plastic and paper recycling rates. Only automotive batteries and corrugated cardboard have higher recycling rates.
"We see scrap-tire recycling as a key part of our role in supporting a sustainable circular economy and we have been steadfast in our efforts to promote market expansion," USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke said.
"USTMA will continue its commitment to expand markets and help advance opportunities for scrap tire technologies through work with our value chain partners, federal and state policymakers, academia and NGOs."