Number of scrap tires generated annually (2009): 298 million   

Number of scrap tires in stock piles (2005): 250 million

Number of scrap tires going to a market (2009): 238 million (80%)
Number of scrap tires used for fuel (2009): 145 million
Number of facilities using tire-derived fuel (2005): 92

Scrap tires used in civil engineering applications (2009): 30 million
Number of scrap tires exported (2009): 12 million
Number of scrap tires used in agricultural
or miscellaneous applications (2009): 1.7 million

Scrap tires processed into ground rubber (2005): 50 million

Ground rubber market percentages:

• Rubber Modified Asphalt - 18% of all ground rubber to this market
• Molded Products - 32%
• Surfacing/Ground Covers - 32%
• Other - 18%

Average weight of a passenger car scrap tire: 20 pounds
Average weight of a light truck scrap tire: 30 pounds
Average weight of a heavy truck scrap tire: 100 pounds
Percentage of scrap tires that are passenger car tires: 84%
Percentage of scrap tires that are from light and heavy trucks: 15%
Percentage of heavy equipment, aircraft and off-road tires: 1%
Btu's per pound of scrap tire rubber: 15,000


Best ways to reduce the number of scrap tires generated:

1. Purchase longer-tread life tires
2. Rotate tires every 6,000 miles
3. Check for/inflate tires to recommended air pressure levels once a month or before every long trip
4. Balance tires when rotating them