BORDER
SCRAP TIRE
PROJECT ACTION PLANS
U.S.- MEXICO BORDER SCRAP TIRE
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
PRDJ Cl OWNERS
Border 2012 New Mexico-Chihuahua
Rural Task Force
Border Legislative Conference
California Environmental Protection
Agency-Office of Border Affairs
California Integrated Waste Management
Board
City of Eagle Pass, Texas
City of San Diego Solid Waste Local
Enforcement Agency
Endpoint Environmental
Pan American Health Organization
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
Secretary of the Secretariat for the
Environment and Natural Resources
Silent Running
Rubber Manufacturers Association
University of Texas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
February 2008
The Border Scrap Tire Project
Action Plans are descriptions of
border scrap tire projects that are
occurring throughout the U.S.-
Mexico border region.
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TABL: OF CONTENTS
Introd uction ................... .^:. [[[ 3
^^Z^^
Principle One: Scrap Tire Generation [[[ 4
Inventory of Tire Piles Along the U.S. -Mexico Border [[[ 5
Locating/Inventorying Waste Tire Piles in El Paso/Juarez Region Using Aerial Imagery ..... 6
Remote Sensing of Waste Tires in the California/Mexico Border Region ......................... 7
Use of Satellite Technology to Locate/Monitor Tire Piles for CA/CA-Mexico Border Region . 8
Border Tire Health Study [[[ 9
Tire Flow Study along the California-Mexico Border Region ....................................... 10
Used/Waste Tire Flow Study in the California-Mexico Border Region ........................... 11
A Study of Passenger, Light Truck and SUV, Used Tire Economics in the
California/AZ and Baja California Norte/Sonora Border Region ................................................ 12
Principle Two: Scrap Tire Pile Prevention [[[ 13
SEMARNAT Scrap Tire Management Document [[[ 14
U.S. -Mexico Scrap Tire Management Experiences Handbook ..................................... 15
U.S. -Mexican BorderTire Management Regulations ................................................. 16
Training Seminars on Developing Scrap Tire Markets ............................................... 17
Principle Three: Scrap Tire Pile Cleanup [[[ 18
Cleanup of El Centinela Scrap Tire Pile [[[ 19
Cleanup of Ciudad Juarez Scrap Tire Pile [[[ 20
Cleanup of Sonora Border Scrap Tire Pile [[[ 21
Cleanup of Piedras Negras / Eagle Pass Scrap Tire Pile ............................................. 22
Grant for Cleanup of Waste Tires in the Tijuana River Valley ..................................... 23
Grant for Waste Tire Cleanup of Tijuana River Channels ........................................... 24
Principle Four: Scrap Tire Management Participation ...................................... 25
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INTRODUCTION
The Border Scrap Tire Action
Action Plans are descriptions of
border scrap tire projects currently
being implemented throughout the
U.S.-Mexico border region. A
mechanism for educating interested
parties of border scrap tire activities,
they foster collaboration between
scrap tire projects, and aid in
assessing the needs for further
projects.
Currently, there are twenty-four
scrap tire projects listed. The
project descriptions will be
updated and new projects will be
added as they are initiated.
For a detailed description of
contributors to the Project Action
Plans, see Appendix One.
Background
The Project Action Plans were
initiated in 2006 as a
supplement to the U.S.-Mexico
Border Scrap Tire Integrated
Management Initiative
document. The Initiative, an
official Border 2012 Program
document, provides a scrap tire
management framework for the
two counties to implement using
a sustainable development
vision. The Initiative establishes
a clear and consistent under-
standing of shared scrap tire
management principles, and
provides direction for the major
program actions necessary to
effectively manage
scrap tires.
Structure of Project Action Plans
The Scrap Tire Project Action Plans document shares details of each project
including a description, expected outcomes, a timeframe for project completion, the
responsible organization with contact information, and the project's funding source.
The projects are organized under the U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Integrated
Management Initiative's principles and actions. For a list of the Principles and
Actions, see Appendix Two and Three.
Contact
For further information or to update or include additional project descriptions,
)lease contact Ellie Kanipe (kanipe.ellie@epa.gov, 703-347-8985).
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PRINCIPLE ONE
SCRAP TIRE GENERATION
U.S.- MEXICO BORDER SCRAP TIRE
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
PURPOSE
Better understand the problems contributing to scrap tire
generation.
ACTION 1
Gather information to better understand scrap tire generation
(including sources of substandard tires and illegal tire entry into
Mexico), illegal dumping of scrap tires, and methods for effective
management of scrap tires.
BACKGROUND
Throughout the border region, a significant number of scrap tire piles
exist containing millions of scrap tires. The tire piles tend to result from
a robust market for partially used tires in the border region. Less
expensive than new tires, these partially used tires have a short life,
thus contributing to the large accumulation of scrap tires in the border
region.
The generation of scrap tires is expected to increase along the U.S.-
Mexico border as population rates continue to accelerate. In the U.S.,
over 290 million scrap tires are generated annually. In Mexico City it is
estimated that 5 million scrap tires are generated per year. The
majority of these tires are used as tire derived fuel, or are applied in
civil engineering and crumb rubber applications. In order to address
this growing problem, it is necessary to better understand the problems
contributing to scrap tire generation.
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PROJECT ONE
Inventory of Tire Piles along U.S.-Mexico Border
DESCRIPTION
The EPA and SEMARNAT worked jointly with state and local
governments to identify locations, classify size, and determine ownership of
major tire piles in the U.S.-Mexico border region. The tire piles were
identified through interviews with border residents, state governments and
national scrap tire experts.
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The purpose of the project is to inventory major scrap tire piles in the entire
U.S.-Mexico border region. The inventory will aid in the development of
recycling options for scrap tires. For example, the inventory will allow the
Border 2012 Waste Policy Forum to determine which tire piles are near scrap
tire shredders and municipal waste landfills so that scrap tire shreds can be
used as "daily cover" at nearby landfills.
TIMING
The EPA and SEMARNAT, collaborating with state and local governments, have
completed the inventory document. The inventory document can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/tires/publications.htm.
ORGANIZATIONS
EPA Office of Solid Waste
Ellie Kanipe; kanipe.ellie(Q)epa.aov
FUNDING SOURCE
EPA Office of Solid Waste
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PROJECT TWO
Locating and Inventorying Waste Tire Piles
in El Paso/Juarez Region Using Aerial Imagery
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ESCRIPTION
Researchers at the University of Texas are exploring the potential of
deciphering the color spectrums in aerial photography and satellite imagery
to locate unknown tire piles and to estimate the size of these piles.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Although field visits confirming results have yet to be completed, researchers
have used the software program ERDAS to locate unknown tire piles in the
El Paso/ Juarez region. ERDAS can take the color information from a known
tire pile and match it to all other objects in an aerial image that have similar
color bands. However, this means that shadows, pavement, and other dark
objects do appear as false positives in the process. Researchers plan to
explore the potential of using LIDAR technology to measure depth, thus
eliminating false positives caused by these sources.
TIMING
Completion of the project is expected in 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
University of Texas
David Eaton Phd.; eaton@mail.utexas.edu
FUNDING SOURCE
EPA Region 6
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PROJECT THREE
Remote Sensing of Waste Tires Project in the
California/Mexico Border Region
DESCRIPTION
Endpoint Environmental, working with San Francisco State University in a project
sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), is
mapping areas of Northern California and the California/Mexico border region for
tire pile sites. To create the maps of tire pile sites, Endpoint Environmental
leverages the Tire Identification from Reflectance (TIRe) Model. The TIRe Model
is a computer-assisted image-processing algorithm invented at NASA's Ames
Research Center in a proof-of-concept project funded by CIWMB in 2005.
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PECTED OUTCOMES
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The TIRe Model is designed to identify densely grouped tire piles of 100 tires
or more in commercially available high-resolution satellite imagery. False-
positives are attributed to shadows, polluted water bodies, and objects with
tire-material content such as roof-shingles or polyethylene tubing. Endpoint
Environmental staff separate false-positives from suspected tire piles using
visual-interpretation techniques. During the course of the project, San Fran-
cisco State University will be refining the TIRe Model to further reduce false-
positives. Endpoint Environmental is constructing a series of maps for
CIWMB. Satellite imagery is used as a "background" in small-scale maps to
clearly display tire pile sites.
TIMING
Completion of the project is expected mid-2008.
ORGANIZATIONS
Endpoint Environmental
Catherine Huybrechts; catherine@endointenvrionmental.com
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Darryl L. Petker P.E.; dpetker@ciwmb.ca.gov
San Francisco State University
Dr. Patricia "Trish" Foschi; tfoschi@sfsu.edu
FUNDING SOURCE
California Integrated Waste Management Board
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PROJECT FOUR
Use of Satellite Technology to Locate and Monitor
Waste Tire Piles in California and the California-
Mexico Border Region
DESCRIPTION
This project will use satellite imagery to find illegal tire piles within the state of
California. Due to its geographical proximity, the California-Mexico border
zone will also be an area of focus for the purpose of locating and monitoring
waste tire piles that may pose a threat to California communities.
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EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The final report associated with this project will provide the following
information:
A list of known and suspected tire pile locations.
Imagery, photos and maps obtained / used to deliver results for the
evaluation.
Suggestions for future areas to be evaluated.
Suggestions for future enhancement to current methodology.
TIMING
The final report associated with this project will be completed by June 2008.
ORGANIZATIONS
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Darryl Petker; dpetker@ciwmb.ca.gov
California Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Border Affairs (Cal/EPA-OBA)
Ricardo Martinez; RMartinez@waterboards.ca.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
California Tire Recycling Management Fund
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PROJECT FIVE
Border Tire Pile Health Study: Human-Environmental
Interaction and the Effect of Waste Tire Removal on
Risk for Dengue Fever Infection in Brownsville, Texas
and Matamoros, Tamaulipas
DESCRIPTION
The Border 2012 Program Health Task Force is working with the EPA's Office of Re-
search Development and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in assessing
the health risks of tire piles along the U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically, the 2012
Health Task Force, working with the 2012 Waste Policy Forum, is overseeing a study
that will investigate the recent outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Brownsville,
Texas and Matamoros, Tamaulipas and its relation to the scrap tire piles.
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Because dengue fever is transmitted by an urban mosquito, examination of waste
tires as water-holding containers in close proximity to households is critical to under-
standing the potential roles that tires play in mosquito breeding sites.
PECTED OUTCOMES
This study will provide relevant environmental health data regarding tire piles
along the U.S.-Mexico border. This data can be used when considering fed-
eral, state, and local-level options to administer scrap tire management pro-
grams, and in educational campaigns directed toward preventing the creation
of new scrap tire piles.
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MING
Completion is estimated by the end of 2007.
RGANIZATIONS
:Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
EPA Contact: Ellie Kanipe; kanipe.ellie@epa.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
EPA Office of Research and Development and PAHO
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PROJECT SIX
Tire Flow Study along the California-Mexico
Border Region
DESCRIPTION
San Diego State University's Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias is con-
ducting a study on the flow of used tires in the California-Mexico border region. The
study will describe and quantify the flow of used tires across the border, will evaluate
the legal and regulatory framework as well as the economics of tire flows, will assess
environmental impacts of used and scrap tires, will discuss recycling efforts, and will
describe the final disposition of scrap tires in Baja California and Mexico.
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This study will develop a methodology to estimate the number of used and waste tires
that have been transported from California to Mexico since 2000. Data will also be
collected concerning the locations of existing tire piles. Estimates will be made regarding
the number of tires that are sold, reused, and disposed of in the California-Mexico bor-
der region. The economic focus will include the costs to transport tires, revenue from
the sale of tires, costs of tire disposal, and costs to remediate disposal sites as well as
respond to possible waste tire pile fires. The environmental focus will evaluate the im-
pacts of possible tire pile fires and will assess possible human health hazards associated
with disease vectors in tire piles. Furthermore, the study will evaluate the existing regu-
latory structure used by California and Mexico to manage used tires in the region, in-
cluding current waste tire policies, laws, regulations, and procedures. Finally, the study
will provide suggestions and options for consideration by policy makers on tire related
issues. The summary description, analysis, and recommendations will be published for
wide distribution.
TIMING
This study's completion is expected by May 2008.
ORGANIZATIONS
*San Diego State University, Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias
Paul Ganster, Ph.D.; pganster@mail.sdsu.edu
Bertha Hernandez, M.A.; bhernand@mail.sdsu.edu
FUNDING SOURCE
California Integrated Waste Management BoardCIWMB
Darryl L. Petker P.E. Contract Manager; dpetker@ciwmb.ca.gov
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PROJECT SEVEN
Used/Waste Tire Flow Study in the California-
Mexico Border Region
DESCRIPTION
This project consists of a study to determine the flow of reusable and waste tires in
the California-Mexico border region. Through this project, the California Integrated
Waste Management Board (CIWMB), in partnership with the California Environmental
Protection-Office of Border Affairs (Cal/EPA-OBA), shall hire a contractor to prepare a
technical report.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The report will contain information regarding the following border-specific issues con-
cerning used and waste tires:
Identify the quantities of reusable and waste tires transported into Mexico from
California, both legally and illegally, since 2000.
Of the total tires transported into Mexico, quantify the number of tires sold for
reuse, as well as those properly and illegally disposed of at landfills and dumpsites.
Identify final disposal destination of waste tires that are being transported from Cali-
fornia into Mexico.
Discuss the economic impact to California and Mexico of the waste tire flow from
California into Mexico.
Make recommendations regarding changes to the current California and Baja
California waste tire policies, laws, regulations and procedures.
Identify, evaluate and make recommendations regarding potential markets for tire-
derived products in Mexico.
Identify, evaluate and make recommendations regarding appropriate tire disposal
alternatives in the California-Mexico border region.
TIMING
This CIWMB-Cal/EPA-OBA project will be the emphasis of a workshop entailed "Used and
Waste Tire Flow in the California-Mexico Border Region." The workshop will be on March
4-5, 2008 in San Diego. For further information, contact Reynaldo Rojo
(rrojo@projects.sdsu.edu or 619-594-5423.)
ORGANIZATIONS
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Mitch Delmage; mdelmage@ciwmb.ca.gov
California Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Border Affairs (Cal/EPA-OBA)
Ricardo Martinez; RMartinez@waterboards.ca.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
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California Tire Recycling Management Fund
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PROJECT EIGHT
A Study of Passenger, Light Truck and SUV,
Used Tire Economics in the California/AZ and
Baja California Norte/Sonora Border Region
DESCRIPTION
Silent Running, a research and environmental advisory company, will evaluate the key economic
factors that contribute to used tire flows from the U.S. to Mexico, focusing on economic drivers in
California, Arizona, Baja California Norte, and Sonora. The study will include price comparisons
between new and used tires in the U.S. and Mexico, the used tire value proposition, and an
malysis of the retail tire industry structure in the U.S. and Mexico border region.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The findings of the study are intended to answer the following questions:
For this geographic region, what are the economic underpinnings behind used tire flows from the
U.S. and Mexico-particularly for the tire resale market?
To what degree, if any, do tariffs, customs laws and practices, and government policy enhance or
distort the market for the resale of used tires?
For this geographic region, what is the quality and useful life of used tires being resold in the U.S.
and Mexico?
For this geographic region, to what degree would an increase or decrease of used tire flows from
the U.S. to Mexico disrupt the Mexican retail tire industry?
To what degree, if at all, do flows of used tires from the U.S. into Mexico contribute to scrap tire
stockpiles in Mexico in this geographic region?
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TIMING
The study is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2008.
ORGANIZATIONS
Silent Running
Jim Dodenhoff; jdodenhoff@ca.rr.com
FUNDING SOURCE
Project is self-funded.
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PRINCIPLE TWO
SCRAP TIRE PILE PREVENTION
U.S.- MEXICO BORDER SCRAP TIRE
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
PURPOSE
Prevent new scrap tire piles.
ACTION 2
Consider federal, state, and local-level regulatory options to
administer scrap tire management programs to prevent new scrap tire
piles.
ACTION 3
Encourage development and implementation of a variety of
environmentally acceptable and economically promising end-use
markets for scrap tires to increase recycling and reuse. It is
planned that this will be done through economic, regulatory, and
technology development incentives.
BACKGROUND
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While the Border 2012 Program highlights cleaning-up tire piles, it is
also critical to prevent the creation of new tire piles in the border region.
This can be accomplished by establishing scrap tire management pro-
grams aimed toward prevention, and by increasing scrap tire recycling
by developing markets for tire-derived products. The U.S. and Mexico
are collaborating to assess the optimal methods for preventing new
scrap tire piles by analyzing tire-derived fuel projects, civil engineering
applications, and crumb rubber applications, among other methods.
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PROJECT NINE
SEMARNAT SCRAP TIRE MANAGEMENT DOCUMENT
ESCRIPTION
SEMARNAT is currently developing a Scrap Tire Management document which
will serve as a framework for scrap tire programs in Mexico In 2003,
SEMARNAT mandated that all of the States create or adjust their legal frame-
work for waste management. At this point, Nuevo Leon is the first state to
comply with creating a scrap tire program.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
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In the past, local governments in Mexico had lacked access to alternatives to dis-
pose of scrap tires, a situation that for decades induced the pile-up of several million
tires across the country's northern border, where the generation of this type of
waste is especially intense.
In response to this problem, the Mexican Federal Government, through the Ministry
of Environment and Natural Resources, State Governments, Municipalities, the Ce-
ment Industry and the US Environmental Protection Agency, coordinated efforts in
order to start activities for the remediation of local waste-tire sites in the border
Mexican States, accomplishing up to date the cleaning of up to 3 million tires, in-
cluding the remediation of two sites whose tire inventories dated back several years,
and which had repeatedly become ablaze over the years: INNOR and El Centinela.
Such actions will greatly diminish health and environmental risks among communi-
ties at both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, since waste tire build-up entails the risk
of fires, is a source of toxic emissions and diseases, and encourages the use of
waste tires as cheap fuel in brick ovens.
In this context, the Scrap Tire Management Document will help to describe the ex-
perience of the Scrap Tire Management Program that has been developed in the
Northern Border region, in order to help other local governments to start activities
of cleaning-up scrap tires in their cities and to prevent the generation of new scrap
tires sites.
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TIMING
The project is currently in its beginning stages.
ORGANIZATIONS
SEMARNAT
Alexandra Gonzalez Narro; alexandra.gonzalez@semarnat.gob.mx
FUNDING SOURCE
SEMARNAT
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PROJECT TEN
U.S.-Mexican Scrap Tire
Management Experiences Handbook
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The U.S.-Mexican Scrap Tire Management Experiences Handbook is being pre-
pared to assist federal, state and local governments and private industry in
developing and administering scrap tire programs. The Handbook will offer
options to prevent future tire piles, cleanup existing tire piles, and foster mar-
kets for the valuable resources contained in scrap tires. Technical, environ-
mental, economic and reference data will be provided for major scrap tire
applications.
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The U.S.-Mexican Scrap Tire Management Experiences Handbook will aid in
preventing further growth of existing scrap tire piles as well as the creation of
new piles. The Handbook is intended to accelerate market development ef-
forts by providing critical information about the North American market ex-
perience and its potential applicability within both Mexico and the U.S. Addi-
tionally, the Handbook will allow industry participants to assess, prioritize, tar-
get and develop markets as efficiently and rapidly as possible.
TIMING
The U.S. EPA and SEMARNAT will finalize the Scrap Tire Management
Experiences Handbook by the end of 2008.
ORGANIZATIONS
EPA Office of Solid Waste
Rick Picardi; picardi.rick@epa.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
EPA Office of Solid Waste
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PROJECT ELEVEN
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U.S. - Mexican Border Tire
Management Regulations
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ESCRIPTION
The Border Legislative Conference, in collaboration with the EPA Region 9, is
updating an existing Border Legislative Conference document which high-
lights federal, state and local waste tire management regulations in both
Mexico and the U.S.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The finished document highlighting waste tire management regulations will al-
low for the analysis of waste tire regulations within the Border Legislative Con-
ference and at the federal, state and local level. Eventually, the document will
help federal, state and local legislators modify and/or create regulations to ad-
dress the core waste tire management issues.
ORGANIZATIONS
Border Legislative Conference
Edgar Ruiz; eruiz@csg.org
EPA, Region 9
Emily Pimentel; Pimentel.emily@epa.gov
UNDING SOURCE
Border Legislative Conference and EPA Region 9 (San Francisco)
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PROJECT TWELVE
Training Seminars on Developing Scrap Tire Markets
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The U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), and border governments will work
together to offer training seminars to promote the prevention of scrap tire piles along the
U.S.-Mexican border. The proposed seminars will draw on Mexican and U.S. technical ex-
pertise, and will be offered at different locations along the border. The key audience of the
seminars will be potential entrepreneurs who are most likely to create the scrap tire
recycling industry. The seminars will focus on providing the fundamentals of developing a
scrap tire recycling industry with subject matter ranging from the necessities of starting a
business, to tire processing, to the key scrap tire markets.
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Since the training seminars will provide the necessary training on the basics of
scrap tires, they will allow potential entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn the
information they need to create the scrap tire recycling industry.
TIMING
Beginning spring 2007
RGANIZATIONS
Rubber Manufacturers Association
Michael Blumenthal; MBIumenthal@rma.org
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PRINCIPLE THREE
SCRAP TIRE PILE CLEAN-UP
U.S.- MEXICO BORDER SCRAP TIRE
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
PURPOSE
Cleanup "legacy" (existing) tire piles using environmentally sound
and cost effective solutions.
ACTION 2
Consider federal, state, and local-level regulatory options to administer
scrap tire management programs to cleanup legacy tire piles.
ACTION 4
Abate tire piles by seeking funding to eliminate legacy scrap tire piles,
and invest in and adequately manage temporary storage and transfer
stations to facilitate recycling and/or reuse of scrap tires.
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Under the Reduce Land Contamination goal of the binational
environmental Border 2012 Program, objective three addresses the
cleanup of scrap tire piles. Specifically, the objective aims to cleanup
three of the larger scrap tire sites in the U.S.-Mexico border region by
2010. Great strides have been made in achieving this objective with
over 2.7 million tires having been cleaned-up along the border.
Furthermore, 450,000 tires have been removed at the INNORTire Pile in
Mexicali resulting in the pile's complete elimination.
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PROJECT THIRTEEN
Cleanup of El Centinela Scrap Tire Pile
Centinela, the scrap tire pile with 1.2 million abandoned tires, was ranked as
one of the largest scrap tire piles in the border region. The Border 2012
scrap tire management partners identified Centinela as one of the largest
tire piles. The cleanup of this tire pile was established as a target to meet
Border 2012 Goal 3 to "cleanup three of the largest sites containing
abandoned waste tires."
The tires were transported to CENEX plants located in Ensenada and
Hermosillo where they were then co-processed as tire derived fuel (TDF).
The success of this cleanup is attributed to the ability of government,
industry, and other partners to leverage their respective resources.
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Since tire piles pose environmental and health problems, the cleanup of the
Centinela tire pile will significantly improve the environmental health of the
area within the vicinity of the site. Centinela was one of the largest scrap tire
piles in the border area; therefore, it has contributed to meeting Border
2012's scrap tire objective.
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In November 2006, EPA completed the cleanup. It began in June 2005 with the
signature of the Annex of Execution No. 3 between SEMARNAT, the government
of the State of Baja California, CANACEM and Cemex.
ORGANIZATIONS
. SEMARNAT
Edgar De Villar; edgar.delvillar@semarnat.gob.mx
EPA Region 9 (San Francisco, California)
Emily Pimentel; Pimentel.emily(o)epa.qov
FUNDING SOURCE
EPA Region 9: $285,000
SEMARNAT: Over $100,000 plus in-kind donation of trucks/trains
Government of Baja California: $100,000
CEMEX: in-kind donation - shredding of tires and co-processing as TDF
City of Mexicali: in-kind donation - coordination support
*AII Mexican quantities are taken from the Annexes of Execution between SEMARNAT and the State
Governments, the Municipalities, Cemex or Cementos Chihuahua, and CANACEM.
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PROJECT FOURTEEN
Cleanup of Ciudad Juarez Scrap Tire Pile
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Nearly 3 million scrap tires have been removed from the Ciudad Juarez tire
pile through the collective efforts of the U.S. EPA, SEMARNAT, the Border
Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), the City of Juarez, and GCC
Cemento, A.A. de C.V., Samlayuca (the local cement plant). The 8-10 year
old Ciudad Juarez tire pile site encompasses approximately four to five mil-
lion scrap tires.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Since tire piles pose environmental and health problems, the cleanup of the
Ciudad Juarez tire pile site will significantly improve the environmental health
of the area within the vicinity of the site. The Ciudad Juarez site is one of the
largest scrap tire piles in the border area; therefore, its cleanup will contribute
to meeting Border 2012's scrap tire objective.
TIMING
The Ciudad Juarez tire pile is expected to be 100% cleaned-up during
the next several years.
ORGANIZATIONS
. SEMARNAT
Edgar De Villar; edgar.delvillar@semarnat.gob.mx
EPA Region 6 (Dallas, Texas)
Robert Snowbarger; Snowbarqer.robert(Q)epa.qov
FUNDING SOURCE
Government of Chihuahua:
SEMARNAT:
Government of Ciudad Juarez:
EPA Office of International Affairs:
$80,000 plus $30,000 this year
$113,000 plus $60,000 this year
$65,000
$60,000
*AII Mexican quantities are taken from the Annexes of Execution between SEMARNAT and the
State Governments, the Municipalities, Cemex or Cementos Chihuahua, and CANACEM.
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PROJECT FIFTEEN
Cleanup of Sonora Border Scrap Tire Pile
DESCRIPTION
This project consists of removing 250,000 scrap tires from municipal solid
waste landfills in Sonera's border where tires pose a fire risk (e.g. San Luis Rio
Colorado or other municipality), and to establish a properly managed storage
center to facilitate the timely transfer of tires to appropriate destinations for
processing as TDF or other reuses.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Since tire piles pose environmental and health problems, the cleanup of the
Sonora border community tire piles will significantly improve the environ-
mental health of the area within the vicinity of the site. The project will also
help develop scrap tire management infrastructure; therefore, it will
contribute to meeting Border 2012's scrap tire management objective.
TIMING
Cleanup is estimated to be complete in 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
SEMARNAT
Edgar De Villar; edgar.delvillar@semarnat.gob.mx
EPA Region 9 (San Francisco, California)
Emily Pimentel; Pimentel.emily@epa.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
The project will be carried out with public-private sector partnerships that include
SEMARNAT, the State of Sonora, CEMEX, the Sonora rail service, and
respective local municipalities. Funding will be provided by SEMARNAT and EPA.
SEMARNAT:
EPA Office of International Affairs & Region 9:
$25,000
$50,000
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PROJECT SIXTEEN
Cleanup of Piedras Negras/ Eagle Pass
Scrap Tire Pile
DESCRIPTION
The cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico are work-
ing together to deal with the illegal dumping of scrap tires in the region. To
date, approximately 159,000 scrap tires have been removed from piles in
the Eagle Pass / Piedras Negras areas for TDF through the collective efforts of
the U.S. EPA, SEMARNAT, BECC, the City of Eagle Pass and the Municipio de
Piedras Negras.
.
E!
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
This project will remove nearly 250,000 scrap tires that will be used as TDF
and in civil engineering applications.
TIMING
,
0 R
The Piedras Negras tire pile is estimated to have cleaned-up
approximately 200,000 scrap tires by April 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
City of Eagle Pass, TX
Hector Chavez; hchavez(o)citvofeaqlepass.com
. SEMARNAT
Edgar De Villar; edgar.delvillar@semarnat.gob.mx
EPA Region 6 (Dallas, Texas)
Robert Snowbarger; Snowbarqer.robert@epa.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
I
SEMARNAT: $10,000
Government of Coahuila: $10,000
Piedras Negras Municipality: $15,000
EPA Region 6: $50,000
*AII Mexican quantities are taken from the Annexes of Execution between SEMARNAT and the
State Governments, the Municipalities, Cemex or Cementos Chihuahua, and CANACEM.
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PROJECT SEVENTEEN
Grant for Cleanup of Waste Tires
in the Tijuana Rive Valley
DESCRIPTION
The CIWMB awarded $41,575 to the City of San Diego Solid Waste Local
Enforcement Agency (LEA) to pay for the removal and disposal of thousands of
waste tires that were washed during winter storms into the Tijuana River Valley
from Mexico. These waste tires impact the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park.
The project was completed on December 31, 2006. San Diego contracted with
The County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department who performed the
actual collection and removal of the waste tires under contract with Donavan
Detention Facility. 2,350 tires were removed for a cost of $26,059.45. The LEA
has prepared the final report for submittal to CIWMB.
The County of San Diego Park and Recreation Department intends to apply for
these funds directly to fund future waste tire removal efforts in the Tijuana River
Valley Regional Park.
TIMING
This waste tire project was completed December 31, 2006.
ORGANIZATIONS
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Mitch Delmage; mdelmage@ciwmb.ca.gov
California Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Border Affairs (Cal/EPA-OBA)
Ricardo Martinez; RMartinez@waterboards.ca.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
California Tire Recycling Management Fund
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PROJECT EIGHTTEEN
Grant for Waste Tire Cleanup of Tijuana
River Channels
DESCRIPTION
from
During yearly rain storms, thousands of tires flow across the border
Tijuana and impact San Diego city and county land. The City of San Diego
Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency administers a grant from the California
Integrated Management Board to help fund County Park and City of San Diego
Streets Division clean-ups of scrap tires that flow into the Tijuana River Valley
Regional Park.
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Manual and mechanical clean-ups will remove hundreds of tires from Smuggler's
Gulch, the Main channel, and Pilot channel of the Tijuana River. This allows the
river to flow without causing flooding and additional degradation. Clean-up in
this area stops the tires from moving further downstream into the more sensi-
tive estuary habitat.
TIMING
Periodic
ORGANIZATIONS
O R
City of San Diego Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency
Bill Prinz; wprinz(o)sandiego.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
Waste Tire Clean-up Grant from the California Integrated
Waste Management Board
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PRINCIPLE FOUR
Scrap Tire Management Participation
U.S.- MEXICO BORDER SCRAP TIRE
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
PURPOSE
Involve stakeholders and communities in creating scrap tire solutions.
ACTION 5
Involve the U.S. and Mexican governments, the private-sector,
academics, and non-governmental organizations in the implementation
of the U.S.-Mexico Scrap Tire Integrated Management Initiative.
ACTION 6
Establish and implement educational outreach programs geared
toward a diverse audience of stakeholders to increase scrap tire
recycling and reuse opportunities.
BACKGROUND
The ten-year binational Border 2012 Program emphasizes a bottom-up,
regional approach to addressing border environmental issues. The U.S.-
Mexico Scrap Tire Integrated Management Initiative recognizes the
importance of bringing together a wide variety of stakeholders to
produce priority actions which can be sustained. It aims to involve the
U.S. and Mexican governments, the private-sector, academics, and
non-governmental organizations in carrying out the Initiative.
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PROJECT NINETEEN
Tire Outreach Project (TOP)
The California Integrated Waste Management Board has awarded a contract to
the City of San Diego Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency to work with the
City of Tijuana, Mexico and other affected communities along with Non-
Government Officials (NGO) from surrounding border cities along the Califor-
nia-Mexico Border. TOP is in the process of developing solutions for scrap tire
collection, disposal, and recycling. TOP will promote awareness among canyon
residents of recycling opportunities and beneficial uses of scrap tires.
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TOP expects to produce an educational video on how to build retaining walls
from scrap tires. This video will be produced in both Spanish and English for use
by government planners and engineers, as well as NGOs, to teach the basics of
adequately engineered scrap tire retaining walls. Accompanying printed
materials will also be produced.
TIMING
This contract will be completed in May 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Mitch Delmage; mdelmage@ciwmb.ca.gov
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Lillian Conroe; lconroe@ciwmb.ca.gov
City of San Diego Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency
Bill Prinz; wprinz@sandieqo.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
Contract from the California Integrated Waste Management Board
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PROJECT TWENTY
Training of Mexican Tire Haulers and Used Tire
Dealers That Cross Into California to Buy Used Tires
for Sale in Mexico
re
C V
S C R I P T I O N
This project consists of a series of Spanish language workshops to train Mexican
haulers and used tire dealers about applicable statutes and regulations pertaining
to hauling, purchasing, selling, and storing used/waste tires within California. By
providing this language-specific training, the illicit collection, storage and disposal
of used/waste tires within the California-Mexico border will be reduced. SB 772
requires CIWMB staff to work with Mexican authorities in dealing with cross-border
hauling of used/waste tires.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Implementation and completion of this five-year training program will improve
California-Mexico used/waste tire management practices in the following areas:
Compliance of Mexican haulers with regard to the requirements for hauling
used/waste tires within the California-Mexico border;
Public awareness about the environmental and public health and safety threats
associated with used/waste tire mishandling;
Increased cooperation and collaboration with Mexican authorities regarding tire
management issues;
Tracking of legal and illegal used/waste tire flow across the California-Mexico
border;
Coordination with businesses operating in the border region in applying the
same environmental and control requirements.
MING
This training project began in February 2005 and will be completed by 2010.
ORGANIZATIONS
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Mitch Delmage; mdelmage@ciwmb.ca.gov
California Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Border Affairs (Cal/EPA-OBA)
Ricardo Martinez; RMartinez@waterboards.ca.gov
FUNDING SOURCE
California Tire Recycling Management Fund
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PROJECT TWENTY-ONE
New Mexico-Chihuahua Rural Task Force
Scrap Tire Clean-up Project
ESCRIPTION
The Border 2012 New Mexico-Chihuahua Rural Task Force is working with the New M
Environment Department, the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez and New Mexico
State University to evaluate scrap tire piles and address clean up and proper management
and disposal of scrap tires in Palomas and Ascension, Chihuahua. The project consists of
the following components:
A technical workshop on scrap tire management and disposal options for rural commu-
nities in the task force region;
Assessment of location and size of scrap tire piles in Palomas and Ascension;
Education and outreach on proper disposal of scrap tires including development and
distribution of outreach materials;
Clean-up and baling of scrap tires.
Secondary students from Palomas and Ascension will be involved in the implementation of
this project. The Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez in conjunction with New Mexico
State University will be training students in how to use Global Positioning System (GPS)
units, Geographic Information Systems (CIS), and how to evaluate tire piles. The students
will have the opportunity to go out in the field and evaluate scrap tire piles in and around
their communities. Students will also develop a brochure on how their communities can
properly dispose of used tires and why proper disposal is important. This project will also
organize a technical workshop for communities in the task force region that will provide
information on options available to small communities for scrap tire management and dis-
posal. This workshop will help rural communities design programs to address their scrap
tire management and disposal issues.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
:
Maps of scrap tire piles locations in Palomas and Ascension including estimates of the
magnitude of the tire problem in these communities;
Clean up and baling of some of the scrap tires in these communities;
An action plan for addressing scrap tire management and disposal issues in Palomas
and Ascension;
Increased awareness among secondary students and their communities regarding the
scrap tire problem and proper disposal;
Development of GPS and CIS skills among secondary student project participants.
TIMING
This project was initiated in Fall 2006. Completion is estimated by Sept. 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
Border 2012 New Mexico-Chihuahua Rural Task Force
Allyson Siwik, asiwik@zianet.com
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U.S. EPA Border 2012 Program
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PROJECT TWENTY-TWO
U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Integrated Management Initiative
Collaborative Effort
C R I P T I 0
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The Border 2012 Program has kicked off a campaign to work with Border State
municipalities in implementing the U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Integrated Management
Initiative (Tire Initiative.) The Initiative, an official Border 2012 Program document, provides a
scrap tire management framework for the two counties to implement using a sustainable
development vision. The Initiative establishes a clear and consistent understanding of shared
scrap tire management principles, and provides direction for the major program actions necessary
to effectively manage scrap tires. See Appendix 2-3 for more details on the Tire Initiative.
Specifically, the EPA and SEMARNAT are seeking Border States and municipalities to collaborate
on the Tire Initiative by asking them to sign a letter of commitment. By doing so, the Border
States and municipalities are:
Indicating their awareness and understanding of the Tire Initiative and its Principles and
Actions;
Expressing our support and collaboration with the Tire Initiative; and
Committing to work together to leverage existing resources to implement activities which
support each of the Tire Initiative Actions while maintaining consistency with each
country's waste management policies.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The goals of the Tire Initiative collaboration effort are to:
Increase awareness and understanding of the Tire Initiative and promote actions to
cleanup and prevent future tire piles;
Obtain commitment from all Border States and municipalities to collaborate on the Tire
Initiative and its Principles and Actions by signing a Letter of Commitment; and
Encourage Border States and municipalities to consider developing or enhancing their
current scrap tire management plans based on the Principles and Actions in the Tire
Initiative.
TIMING
This project is being launched winter 2008.
ORGANIZATIONS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ellie Kanipe; kanipe.ellie@epag.gov
SEMARNAT
Lie. Alexandra Gonzalez Narro; alexandra.gonzalez@semarnat.gob.mx
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APPENDIX ONE
Contributors
The U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Group emphasizes collaboration among stake-
holders who have an interest in border scrap tire issues. These relevant stakeholders
include State and local governments, other governmental organizations (e.g. Border
Legislative Conference), academia, the private sector, and non-governmental
organizations. Through the concentrated efforts of the U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire
Group, all interested parties can achieve their aims in a mutually beneficial way.
The Border Scrap Tire Group is coordinating with the Resource Conservation Challenge
(RCC) Scrap Tire Workgroup because each has similar goals and interests. The Border
Scrap Tire Project Action Plans help to further both the Border Scrap Tire Group's goals
and the RCC Scrap Tire Workgroup Goals. The Border Scrap Tire Project Action Plans
are modeled after the RCC Scrap Tire Workgroup Summary Action Plans.
The partners involved in the Border Scrap Tire Group have varied degrees of
involvement with the U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Program. For this reason, it is
important to note that for those organizations not formally part of the Border 2012
Program, the Border Project Action Plan projects are not compelled to have explicit
completion dates. The intent of the Border Project Action Plans is to provide a
mechanism for coordination of border tire work.
Project Owners
> Border 2012 New Mexico-Chihuahua Rural Task Force
> Border Legislative Conference
> California Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Border Affairs
> California Integrated Waste Management Board
>- City of Eagle Pass, Texas
> City of San Diego Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency
> Endpoint Environmental
> Pan American Health Organization
>- San Diego State University
> San Francisco State University
>- Secretary of the Secretariat for the Environment and Natural
Resources (SEMARNAT)
> Silent Running
>- Rubber Manufacturers Association
> University of Texas
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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APPENDIX TWO
U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Integrated Management Initiative
As part of the U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Integrated
effort to promote effective management of scrap tires in
tire management principles and actions were included in
completion, the actions will lead to the fulfillment of the
principles and the Border 2012 Program tire objectives.
proposed actions involve activities that both Mexico and
implementing, independently or jointly under the Border
Management Initiative's
the border region, scrap
the document. Upon
Initiative's four basic
In some cases, the
the U.S. are already
2012 Program.
Principle One:
Principle Two:
Principle Three:
Principle Four:
Better understand the problems contributing to scrap
tire generation.
Prevent new scrap tire piles.
Cleanup "legacy" (existing) tire piles using
environmentally sound and cost effective solutions.
Involve stakeholders and communities in creating scrap
tire solutions.
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APPENDIX THREE
Actions:
U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Integrated Management Initiative
As part of the U.S.-Mexico Border Scrap Tire Integrated Management Initiative's
effort to promote effective management of scrap tires in the border region, scrap
tire management principles and actions were included in the document. Upon com-
pletion, the actions will lead to the fulfillment of the Initiative's four basic principles
and the Border 2012 Program tire objectives. In some cases, the proposed actions
involve activities that both Mexico and the U.S. are already implementing,
independently or jointly under the Border 2012 Program.
Action 1: Gather information to better understand scrap tire generation (including
sources of substandard tires and illegal tire entry into Mexico), illegal
scrap tire dumping, and methods for effective management of scrap tires
Action 2: Consider federal, state, and local-level regulatory options to administer
scrap tire management programs.
Action 3: Encourage development and implementation of a variety of
Environmentally acceptable and economically promising end-use markets
for scrap tires to increase recycling and reuse. It is planned that this will
be done through economic, regulatory, and technology development in-
centives.
Action 4: Abate tire piles by seeking funding to eliminate legacy scrap tire piles,
and invest in and adequately manage temporary storage and transfer
stations to facilitate recycling and/or reuse of scrap tires.
Action 5: Involve the U.S. and Mexican governments, the private-sector,
academics, and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of
the Partnership Initiative.
Action 6: Establish and implement educational outreach programs geared toward a
diverse audience of stakeholders to increase scrap tire recycling and
reuse opportunities.
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