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The Road to a Cleaner Tomorrow
Each of us can do something to help avoid potential problems caused by the
33 million worn or damaged tires replaced each year in Maine. Not to
mention the millions already stockpiled at waste tire facilities or
tires illegally dumped by the roadsides throughout our state.
What Can You Do to Help?
We can all take action to keep from being "rolled over" by the waste
tires in our state:
When buying new tires, think long-term. Higher-mileage tires may cost more
up front, but in the long run you will save money.
There are now many handy products you can buy made from recycled tires, such
as:
Playground safety surfaces.
Equestrian arena surfaces.
Mulch, soil amendment, and weed abatement mats.
Roof shingles.
Molded products of all sorts.
New tires that contain recycled rubber.
Rubber from waste tires is used in many applications. Applications such as school tracks, sports surfaces, civil engineering projects, rubberized asphalt
concrete (RAC), and other highway uses. Call your local public works
department and ask if it is using RAC on the roads in your area. RAC extends
the life of pavement, quiets road noise, and provides better traction. Check
with your school district and see if it is replacing old playground and
track surfaces with safer rubberized material. Write the politicians who
represent you and ask them to support statewide purchasing of products made
with recycled rubber.
Reuse/Recycle Tires
Be sure your damaged or worn tires are properly managed. When you buy new
tires, leave the old ones with the dealer. We will see that the tires are
reused, recycled, or disposed of properly. If you have old tires around your
property, check with your local environmental health or waste management
department to find out where you can take them. Keep an eye out for local
clean-up days. Call 1-800-CLEANUP for more information or visit
www.cleanup.org.
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