Indiana Agency Offering Money to Improve Tire Recycling

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is offering $300,000 to spur waste tire product market, minimize health risks caused by tire piles and reduce the piles 

As part of the effort to properly manage the state's supply of waste tires, the IDEM will invest $300,000 in new and innovative ways to reuse or recycle the material.

The investments will be in the form of grants awarded to eligible Indiana businesses, local units of government, schools and not-for-profit organizations. Funding for the grants comes from the Indiana Waste Tire Fund and is designed to help develop reuse markets for the tires, as well as to keep them from being placed in landfills.

"These investments are designed to expand the re-use market for tires by stimulating research and new, high-end product development," said Lori Kaplan, IDEM commissioner. "It's possible that these investments could lead to job creation in Indiana, as well as a cleaner environment."

Since 1996, IDEM and the Indiana Department of Commerce have awarded nearly $1 million to help develop uses for waste tires. In August this year, IDEM awarded $90,000 to four Indiana high schools and one university to use recycled tire material in their athletic fields, saving turf and providing a softer cushion for athletes.

The grants, to be awarded early next year, target research and development; tire derived fuel uses; civil engineering field re-use opportunities; and recreational field use.

To apply for a grant, click on the following link  (Grant Request) or contact C. Steven Poe at: cspoe@dem.state.in.us or 317-233-9341 or 800-988-7901.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST January 23, 2004.