ALABAMA SCRAP TIRE BRIEFING SHEET

STATE REGULATIONS
The State Solid Waste Act (1989) requires counties to develop a comprehensive solid waste management plan to include a recycling component to divert 25% of waste from land disposal, and establishes permit requirements for tire processing, storage and disposal.

Regulations in Chapter 420-3-5 (Solid Waste Collection and Transportation) adopted by the Board of Health in October (1994) revised requirements for scrap tire permits for transporters and processing site operators. All prior permits were repealed and new permits must be acquired.

Separate permits are required for facilities which dispose of scrap tires; for facilities which store and/or process tires; and for transporters who collect and haul scrap tires. Transporters are required to maintain a manifest record showing origin and destination of tires.

The 1990 Legislature required and funded a Tire Recycling Study to determine the state's needs for scrap tire management. A Tire Recycling Center was established at Gadsden State Community College to conduct the study mandated by legislature.

In 2003, Alabama passed the Scrap Tire Environmental Quality Act, the first comprehensive effort calling for the removal of the state's scrap tire piles and support of programs that make recycled tires into marketable commodities.

The 2003 law creates a unique public/private partnership, calling for the Environmental Management Department, Economic and Community Affairs Department, Revenue Department, and Scrap Tire Study Commission to cooperatively administer and enforce the program.

Additionally, the law's provisions address tire pile cleanups and strict enforcement and penalties. The law also contains important language calling for scrap tire market development, establishing a dedicated fund to pay for cleanups and private market development grants. A scrap tire environmental fee of $1 per tire will be collected at the point of sale on replacement tires and be remitted to the Department of Revenue.

MAJOR MARKETS
Two cement kilns are currently using tires as supplemental fuel. One uses whole tires. A third kiln is permitted to use tires but is not currently doing so.

Two monofills are permitted and operating.

STATE CONTACT
Gavin Adams
Alabama Dept. of Environmental Management
P.O. Box 301463
Montgomery, AL 36130-1463
Phone: (334) 271-7770
E-mail:mga@adem.state.al.us
AL General Info