MDEQ awards $2.5 million for scrap tire market development and law enforcement
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced today the funding of $2,516,756 in grants to develop new uses for used vehicle tires and to support increased law enforcement activities within the city of Detroit. When illegal dumping in the environment occurs, scrap tires pose both a fire hazard and a human health risk as a mosquito breeding ground. These grants help reduce or eliminate instances of illegal dumping, support proper collection and handling, and begin to define scrap tires as a commodity, rather than a waste material. These scrap tire grants support building sustainable markets for recycled tire materials in Michigan. Grants have traditionally included support for essential equipment and materials that aid in the establishment of new markets, including various manufacturing processes, implementation and testing of paving materials, energy generation, and other innovative approaches. These grants contribute to a more sustainable business model for the scrap tire industry through increased market opportunities for scrap tire processors, end users, and manufacturers. The 2019 funding will be used to support the following projects:
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