Majority of Auto Repair Shops Recycle Tires

Today’s auto repair shops do much more than fix cars. They also play a key role in protecting the environment. According to a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Bethesda, MD (AAIA), 88 percent report they recycle tires.

“Many people aren’t aware of the widespread environmental thinking and practices in auto repair shops in the areas of recycling, disposal and facilities management,” Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council said.

“Shops have practiced sustainability for decades, and as a result, they have made huge contributions to a cleaner environment.”

The recycling efforts of auto repair shops help keep tires out of landfills – where they can cause toxic runoff that can contaminate the soil and watershed – and out of tire stockpiles that can create fires, causing land and air pollution and contaminating surface and ground water sources, AAIS’s study said.

In addition to recycling tires, repair shops recycle used engine oil and oil filters, batteries, parts cleaning solvents, scrap metal, plastics, cardboard and paper,pallets and more.

The study is part of AAIA’s initiative to illustrate the automotive aftermarket industry’s widespread environmental efforts. The information is presented in AAIA’s “Driving Toward a Cleaner Environment: The Automotive Aftermarket’s Green Story,” and in the short videos, AAIA Green and AAIA Green: Tire Recycling.

The Car Care Council’s “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promotes the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. Visit www.carcare.org.

© Scrap Tire News, October 2011