Amy Lestition Burke, executive director and chief executive officer of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), has joined the board of directors of the Tire Recycling Foundation to contribute SWANA’s knowledge, resources, and expertise in support of the goal of tire reuse and recycling.
The Tire Recycling Foundation is a broad-based, whole value chain initiative committed to securing funding and allocating grants for research, education, intervention, and demonstration projects targeting critical gaps within the tire recycling supply chain across the United States. It is led by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and the Tire Industry Association.
“SWANA is committed to being part of the solution by supporting the expanding tire reuse markets,” said Lestition Burke. “As a key stakeholder, we look forward to being part of the foundation’s work to achieve critical goals and progress in tire recycling initiatives.”
Tires often present challenges to the waste and resource recovery industry, including illegal dumping of scrap tires and the need for more recycling options. Although many milestones have been achieved in scrap tire cleanup, the Tire Recycling Foundation reports tire regeneration outpaces re-usage. The dramatic rise in electric vehicle adoption has also increased tire scrappage rates. While states are exploring ways to address carbon reduction and other challenges, the Tire Recycling Foundation and its stakeholders can collaborate by developing practical and sustainable solutions.