This bill proposes to add 6-10 dollars onto the sale of tires in VT. This money would then be returned to the consumer if they returned the tire. Similar to the existing bottle bill, this monitary incentive would make people more inclined to return their tires, instead of dumping them in the river or stockpiling.

This way, used tires can be used in a more efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Additionally, part of the deposit money would go towards developing tire markets.

This is a vital part of this bill: developing tire markets. We are producing mass amounts of tires that have no easy way to be disposed of. Tires are composed of unnatural substances and chemicals that are disasterous to land fills and stockpiles. But there are sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly ways to use used tires, some of which include:

--Civil Engineering (56 million tires used for this per year)

they can be used in this way for septic tanks, landfill construction, fill and insulation for roads

--Ground Rubber/rubberized asphalt (33 million used this way per year)

used in athletic facilities--this is a seriously underutilized market and has much room for expansion

--Molded Rubber

carpet underylay, floors, decks, automotive parts, bumpers etc.

Hopefully this bill would develope these markets, which will be a great source of re-using much of the waste that we create.

For more informatio about tires and other environmental activism, check out these sites

VPIRG

VNRC

Friends of the Winooski

The River Network

Toxic Action Center

Vermont Solid Waste Management District

Many other states have similar laws about used tires and are working to enhance the beneficial options for used tires. Vermont is seriously lacking in our work towards tires, we have outlawed landfills and are against Tire Derived Fuel, yet we have done little to develop other options--this bill would provide Vermonters and the country more options, while conserving the environment.

For more information contact:

Ruthie Lazenby at ciaomontpelier@yahoo.com

Caroline Sedano at cams48@aol.com

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