Two projects supported by the Scrap Tire Program at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) were recognized with awards recently. 鈥淢ichigan鈥檚 scrap tire program鈥檚 strengths are our partnerships,鈥� says Kirsten Clemens, EGLE鈥檚 scrap tire coordinator, 鈥渁nd it鈥檚 gratifying to see that others are noticing. These awards recognize the program鈥檚 innovative applications 鈥� from rubber roads to market development.鈥�
Cadillac Asphalt paved Ellsworth Road from Carpenter Road to Platt Road in Washtenaw County with a rubberized hot mix asphalt (RHMA) material, the first road to incorporate this material in the greater Ann Arbor area. The use of RHMA is a sustainable paving practice that conserves natural resources, cuts emissions, reduces landfill waste, and improves pavement longevity.
The project was made possible through collaboration of the Michigan Technological University (MTU) research team, EGLE, the Washtenaw County Road Commission, and industry partners. Kirsten Clemens, EGLE鈥檚 scrap tire coordinator (center), receives an award from the Tire Recycling Foundation for the department鈥檚 scrap tire market development efforts.
EGLE was recognized by the Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF) for its scrap tire market development efforts. The TRF鈥檚 Circle of Change Awards highlight the people and partnerships turning challenges into opportunities, building markets, driving innovation, and shaping a more sustainable future for end-of-life tire management across the United States.
The market development excellence award recognizes efforts that have built sustained, scalable demand for tire-derived products, turning recycled tire materials into a reliable component of state and regional infrastructure programs.
The TRF said Michigan鈥檚 initiative 鈥� made up of a coalition of public, private, and academic partners — demonstrated that recycled tire materials can solve practical transportation and stormwater challenges while building market confidence in recycled tire materials.