NEBRASKA SCRAP TIRE BRIEFING SHEET

STATE REGULATIONS
LB 163 (1990), a Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grants Bill, providing for the Nebraska Department of Environmental Control to develop a comprehensive solid waste management plan. The Bill also provides a grant program for local governments for solid waste management programs, including recycling and waste reduction programs, market development for recyclable materials, composting, technical assistance, household hazardous waste management programs, updating the disposal facilities and other solid waste management activities.

The legislation established a $1 fee assessment on each new tire sold (including new car sales) including motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, semi-trailer or farm tractors. The tire fee assessment began in October 1990.

LB 1034 (1994) established the Scrap Tire Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fund, as part of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act. Scrap Tires are totally banned from landfills effective September 1, 1998. Scrap tire collectors, transporters and processors must obtain a permit from the State.

Legislative Bill 143, which was passed by the 2003 Nebraska legislature, has substantially changed the management of waste tires in Nebraska. LB 143 eliminated the waste tire permit program; except for waste tire haulers, established storage requirements for waste tires, and established acceptable uses for waste tires. LB 143 also moves the regulation of waste tires from Title 136 - Scrap Tire Management Rules and Regulations to Title 132 - Integrated Solid Waste Management Regulations. Proposed regulations under Title 132 will provide the criteria for accumulating waste tires for reuse, recycling, or shipping to another state. Since waste tires are banned from land disposal in Nebraska, Title 132 will identify what uses of waste tires are not disposal, and will set criteria for beneficial reuse of waste tires for agricultural purposes, as fish habitat, as blowout stabilization, for tire mats for bank stabilization, or burned for energy recovery.

MAJOR MARKETS
One TDF producer and one ground rubber producer are operating. The Department of Transportation is using some rubber-modified asphalt. Presently, some tires are being baled and stored.

STATE CONTACT
Bill Gidley
Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
Phone: (402) 471-4210
E-mail: bill.gidley@nebraska.gov
NE General Info