The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)* today issued a preliminary proposal to help clean up millions of abandoned tires throughout the U.S. In addition, the proposal would allow the use of abandoned scrap tires as fuel. Here, there might be undisclosed pollution and public health issues.
“Abandoned tire piles across the U.S. pose a threat to the health and safety of Americans, but this waste stream can be and should be responsibly and carefully addressed to make America both healthy and energy dominant again. Our latest proposal provides a common-sense approach to better clean up scrap tires and realize their full potential as fuel,” claimed Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Thomas Croci.
Approximately 48 million abandoned scrap tires remain in at least 23 states and Tribal lands, EPA claimed. The proposal would allow whole abandoned scrap tires to be used in cement kilns as non-waste fuel and allow established tire collection programs to manage all scrap tires used as fuel in the same way. These changes would help reduce risks from scrap tire piles and enhance the recovery of valuable energy resources.
“Together, these changes will make communities safer and healthier by reducing risks from tire pile fires and the breeding grounds they become for disease-carrying animals. At the same time, we are removing the visual blight on our beautiful American landscapes,” EPA said.
“Abandoned scrap tires are discarded material. They have been placed in open dumps in numerous locations across the country and the resulting piles contribute to the national solid waste management problem due to the threat of fires and because they provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents. Despite substantial reduction in recent years, the remaining abandoned scrap tires continue to present risks to human health and the environment.” EPA said.
EPA will accept comments on this proposal for 60 days, until 22 May 2026. AutoInformed awaits comments from Environmental Responsible and science based organizations.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
EPA – Use Abandoned Scrap Tires as Fuel
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)* today issued a preliminary proposal to help clean up millions of abandoned tires throughout the U.S. In addition, the proposal would allow the use of abandoned scrap tires as fuel. Here, there might be undisclosed pollution and public health issues.
“Abandoned tire piles across the U.S. pose a threat to the health and safety of Americans, but this waste stream can be and should be responsibly and carefully addressed to make America both healthy and energy dominant again. Our latest proposal provides a common-sense approach to better clean up scrap tires and realize their full potential as fuel,” claimed Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Thomas Croci.
Approximately 48 million abandoned scrap tires remain in at least 23 states and Tribal lands, EPA claimed. The proposal would allow whole abandoned scrap tires to be used in cement kilns as non-waste fuel and allow established tire collection programs to manage all scrap tires used as fuel in the same way. These changes would help reduce risks from scrap tire piles and enhance the recovery of valuable energy resources.
“Together, these changes will make communities safer and healthier by reducing risks from tire pile fires and the breeding grounds they become for disease-carrying animals. At the same time, we are removing the visual blight on our beautiful American landscapes,” EPA said.
“Abandoned scrap tires are discarded material. They have been placed in open dumps in numerous locations across the country and the resulting piles contribute to the national solid waste management problem due to the threat of fires and because they provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents. Despite substantial reduction in recent years, the remaining abandoned scrap tires continue to present risks to human health and the environment.” EPA said.
EPA will accept comments on this proposal for 60 days, until 22 May 2026. AutoInformed awaits comments from Environmental Responsible and science based organizations.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.