In 2001, there were approximately 280 million scrap tires generated across the United States. Several markets for scrap tires exist, such as tire derived fuel, civil engineering applications, and crumb rubber applications. However, these markets are not sufficient to keep pace with the annual generation rate. Growing stockpiles of tires create environmental threats and serious health hazards when they are improperly maintained or catch fire. The negative environmental effects of scrap tires include becoming a habitat for disease-carrying pests; contamination of air, water, and soil; and impacts associated with wasting a valuable resource if disposed.
