Developing Scrap Tire Programs along the US/Mexico Border Michael Blumenthal Senior Technical Director Rubber Manufacturers Association Washington, DC

RMA Tire Company Members North America

RMA Scrap Tire Strategic Goals To promote the elimination of all scrap tire piles in an environmentally and economically sound manner To promote the management of all annually generated scrap tires in an environmentally and economically sound manner

RMA Scrap Tire Strategic Goals To seek public awareness of scrap tire management success To advocate for a legislative and regulatory environment that is supportive of the RMA scrap tire mission

US/Mexico Border Region

Tires on the US/Mexico Border Used tires brought into Mexico; many stay along border region Unlikely to stop flow of tires into Mexico Many stockpiles exist: No accurate data No markets exist; worsening pile growth Few markets on US side of border

TIRE SHOP TEXAS BORDER

Salvage Yard “Junk” Yonkes

Tire Repair Micro Business

Texas Mexico Border

Scrap Tire Situation in Mexico No Federal or State legislation or regulations on scrap tires exist No fees paid for disposal/transportation Limited processing capacity Used tires continue to be imported Private funds are scarce

MATAMOROS, TAMAULIPAS

REYNOSA, TAMAULIPAS

PIEDRAS NEGRAS, COAHUILA

CD. JUÁREZ, CHIHUAHUA

Scrap Tires Situation on US Side In general, few markets exists along the border region in the 4 border states California considering a border market development program Arizona not actively working along border region

Atlanta, Texas

EL PASO, TEXAS

Scrap Tires Situation on US Side Texas has several programs, but no state funds New Mexico has no state program, but border region programs are starting US EPA considers border region a priority, but has not committed funds

Border 2012 US & Mexico developed Border 2012 in 2005 as a program to protect the environment & public health along the border region An objective of the program is to identify needs for waste management & pollution prevention as they pertain to…solid waste & toxic substances along the border

Border 2012 One of the four priority issues identified by the Waste Policy Forum was tire piles prevention & clean up Stated goal of Border 2012 is to clean up three of the largest sites that contain abandoned scrap tires

Border 2012 Stockpile abatement has begun Abated scrap tires going to Cemex (cement kilns) for fuel EPA & SEMARNAT looking to go beyond abatement program to create market infrastructure

SAMALAYUCA CEMENT PLANT

Other Initiatives Ciudad Juarez/El Paso: Began collection program; tires sent to Cemex Nuevo Laredo/Laredo: Have drop off site; tires being sent to Cemex Brownsville/Matamoros conducting a study on market options

Many Players Involved 7 Mexican Indigenous Peoples 26 US Tribes 28 “Sister” cities 4 regional working groups 3 border-wide groups 3 policy forums Task forces (many) 3 EPA offices 7 SEMARNAT offices 4 US state agencies 6 Mexican states & their agencies

RMA Involvement Presentations at 2 forums in Mexico Working with SEMARNAT through the Mexican Embassy to develop a scrap tire management plan for the border Chairs an Ad hoc working group that provides a centralized information base Member of the Scrap Tire Task Force (with EPA, SEMARNAT & states)

Opportunities Scrap tires have been identified as a priority issue State, Federal & international organizations looking to fund programs Abundant supply of tires Well developed industrial base along border region

Opportunities TDF is an accepted use for tires; potential end users exist along border There is considerable interest in rubber modified asphalt Civil engineering applications would be an easy fit Well developed transportation system

Challenges Neither EPA nor SEMERNAT has a budget for scrap tire programs Funds are going to hazardous waste and waste water projects Cross-border projects could mean having to deal with multiple levels of ‘red tape’ from multiple agencies

Suggested Approach Municipalities can become active players by creating demand for scrap tire-derived material Municipalities should seek opportunities to use tire shreds in civil engineering applications Use in road embankments can use large quantities of tires

Tire Shreds?

First load of shreds

Overview of construction

Spreading shreds with dozer

Completed embankment

BALED TIRES for a TEXAS HIGHWAY SLOPE REPAIR

Slope to be Repaired

Tire Bales Placed

Cover for Final Layer

Completed Slope

Composted Slope

Slope Repair at a Landfill Slope Repair at a Landfill

Slope Repair Slope Repair

Compost on Slope

Prerequisites for Success Must have municipal leadership support Must have support from leadership of the Department of Public Works Must provide training sessions to DPW Must educate tire processors Price paid for tire shreds must be fair Must have commitment to success

Training Programs RMA has training program material on processing technology; civil engineering applications & business development RMA already committed to a civil engineering session in Columbus, NM- Palomas, Chih. area in early 2006

To Have a Training Course Municipal leaders must be present Decision makers from DPW must be present and commit to using tires Design engineers from DPW must be present Must have a “champion” to follow up and keep project on track

Market Development Some scrap tires already going to Cemex for fuel: should try to expand Civil engineering applications is a good second phase market for scrap tires Developing a ground rubber production operation in Mexico (i.e., for rubber modified asphalt) is probably not economically viable at this point in time

Market Development Creating “cottage Industry” to make products (door mats) from scrap tires could create jobs, income and an infrastructure RMA willing to approach mass merchandisers in US as a possible market

Components of Effective Legislation Comprehensive regulation of generators, collectors, processors and end users Strong effective centralized administration and enforcement oversight Clear understanding of permitting requirements Timely processing/review of permit applications License/permit transporters Tire tracking system

Components of Effective Legislation Limited time fee: dedicated fund – tamper proof Funds used to spur market development (no subsidies) Grants for testing Grants for capital equipment to use tire derived material No money for processing capacity

Components of Effective Legislation Funds used to abate stockpiles –Mechanism for cost recovery –Mechanism for victims of dumping beef up enforcement Gradual phase out of ability to landfill tires

Conclusions Unless/until Mexico enacts scrap tire legislation market development will be localized Lack of funds will limit pile abatement & market development programs Stockpiles will continue to enlarge

Conclusions Emphasis should be placed on existing resources (public & private) Training programs on “how to start” markets are needed Coordination among agencies is needed Niche markets could expand into regional markets

Contact Information Michael Blumenthal Rubber Manufacturers Association