
While many scrap tires are being recycled, Sheerin says USTMA’s 2017 report notes a slight decline in the recycling of tires overall compared with its 2015 report, “predominantly due to a decrease in TDF.”Īccording to USTMA’s report, the largest end-market decline was in TDF, with 9.7 percent less demand in 2017 compared with 2015. Scrap tire supply exceeds current demand.Īlthough TDF serves as the largest end market for scrap tires, TDF demand is steadily declining every year.

The price of oil is a factor in scrap tire demand, but low energy prices are challenging the TDF end-use market. Exports from the East Coast have declined. scrap tires are exported off the West Coast to Japan and Korea. Ground rubber is the second largest end market. Tire-derived fuel (TDF) remains the largest end market for scrap tires, but this end market is shrinking. Scrap tires at a glance Major end markets The USTMA also reports, however, that 16 percent of scrap tires generated in 2017 were landfilled. USTMA reports that about 43 percent of scrap tires were recycled for TDF use, while ground rubber serves as the second largest end market (25 percent). According to USTMA’s 2018 report, tire-derived fuel (TDF) continues to be the largest end market for recycled scrap tires. With fewer scrap tires left in stockpiles, more are being recycled and used by various end markets. So, it’s a 94 percent decrease-a positive story to tell.”

“In 1991, over 1 billion scrap tires in stockpiles, now it’s at 60 million. “I would say that scrap tire recycling in this particular report demonstrates a real environmental success story,” John Sheerin, USTMA’s director of end-of-life tire programs, says. Scrap Tire Management Summary” July 18, 2018, which reveals that about 60 million tires are left in stockpiles.

Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), Washington.

Scrap tire recycling can be viewed as a success story as scrap tire stockpiles have steadily declined throughout the past few decades, according to the U.S.
