What happens when a tire is no longer usable? Where does it go? Join Into the Outdoors Adventure Team as we investigate sustainable solutions for scrap tires.

Every year over 300 million tires are discarded in the US. In the past, they were thrown into landfills or dumped illegally. That’s a lot of waste! But today there are many ways scrap tires can be reused or recycled. The ITO Adventure Team travels to Michigan, Colorado and Minnesota to learn how scrap tire disposal is being managed. We learn why illegal dumping is hazardous to human health and the environment.

In Minnesota, we learn about Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA). It’s durable, light-weight, permeable, and can be used in a variety of engineering and construction applications. It prevents frost heaving, solves sinking soil issues, and can even be used to help clean storm-water contaminants.

In Michigan and Colorado, we discover several other products made from scrap tires. Tires can be shredded into different sizes for use as landscaping, molded products, road coverings, and more. It can also be processed into Tire-Derived Fuel, which provides even higher BTUs than coal.

Sometimes environmental issues feel like mountains, but with creative ideas and working together, we can make a difference! If we can find sustainable solutions for a material like tires…what other environmental solutions can we come up with?!

Full Video

Classroom Videos

Sustainability, Engineering and Tires

Scrap Tires, A Waste Material No Longer

Classroom Assets

Tires 2 Lesson Plan

Scrap Tires, A Waste Material No Longer

Related Content

Soybean Savvy

Did you know that soybeans are actually native to Asia, where they’ve been grown and eaten for over 5000 years? Discover this and more by watching the four Parts of...

Managing Forests for Multi-Use

Discover how sustainable forest management benefits wildlife, recreation, and the economy. From protecting ecosystems to producing forest products, learn how forests...

Ripples in the Forest

So what makes a forest ecosystem dynamic and sustainable? Discover the answers by watching the four parts of this science show and reading the information below. And to...

Exploring Dairy Science

How has dairy farming changed in the past 200 years? Discover the answers by watching the four parts of this science show and reading the information below. And to take...

Women Reshaping Conservation & Hunting

Why are women becoming the fastest growing segment of hunters in America today? Their reasons for breaking the stereotype image of men in blaze orange range from...

Searching For Sustainability

This 70-minute documentary explores the challenges and solutions we face in our collective search for sustainability. Full VideoClassroom VideosSearching For...

Electrifying Careers in Energy

Calling all recruits! This is Director V speaking here. Are you looking for an exciting career that uses creativity and innovation? Inspires leadership? Solves...

Into Forestry: Heroes of the Forest

There are heroes out there. You may not recognize them, hiding in the trees, but they are there. Agents doing their job with skill and strength, wielding the most...

Savvy Sustainability

So what exactly is this "sustainability" stuff? Discover the answers by watching the four parts of this science show and reading the information below. And to take this...

The Forest Products Lab

From mass timber buildings to bioenergy from wood waste, explore the innovative ways forest products are being used to combat climate change and support healthy...

Thank you, Partners!