Topic outline

  • EPA: Scrap Tires - Handbook on Recycling Applications and Management

    Credits: 6 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This online engineering PDH course describes how scrap tires can be recycled into many useful products. The course begins by noting that hundreds of millions of scrap tires are found in piles in the U.S. - Mexico border area (The information in the course has been developed specifically for the U.S. - Mexico border area, but is useful for any region with large numbers of scrap tires). These piles pose a public health concern, as they are breeding grounds and havens for mosquitoes that spread disease. Scrap tires are also a significant environmental problem as a result of fire hazards, water contamination, and the leaching of small amounts of zinc, sulfur and other materials found in tire rubber.

    This course describes how scrap tires can be converted from a health and environmental problem into a resource. Three main areas of applications are identified: 1) ground rubber (athletic surface material, molded and extruded products, rubber-modified asphalt); 2) energy use (heating for cement kilns, the paper industry, power generation); and 3) tire-derived aggregates or “TDA” (drainage aggregate, lightweight fill, landfill gas collection, landslide stabilization). Transportation of tires and processing economics are also discussed. Throughout the course, many case studies from established recycling programs are presented.

    Topics:

    • Scrap tire management programs
    • Ground rubber
    • Major U.S. ground rubber markets
    • Athletic and recreational surfaces market
    • Molded and extruded products
    • Rubber-modified asphalt
    • Kilns, pulp and paper industry heating
    • Energy production
    • TDA as drainage aggregate
    • TDA as lightweight fill
    • Whole tires for wall construction
    • Transportation and processing economics
    • Collection and transportation
    • Processing
    • Economic sensitivity

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for civil, materials, transportation and chemical engineers.
    Publication Source: This course is based on the Environmental Protection Agency document, “Scrap Tires: Handbook on Recycling Applications and Management for the U.S. and Mexico,” EPA530-R-1-010, December, 2010.


    D. Allen Hughes, PE

    • Topic 1