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?!