The Kentucky Division of Waste Management (DWM) estimates that about 4 million scrap tires are generated annually in Kentucky. Kentucky waste tire statutes ensure responsible waste tire management. The law requires tire retailers, transporters, and accumulators to register with the state and post a bond. The law also establishes management standards for scrap tires to reduce the risk of fire, and prevent water entrapment and mosquito infestations.
Rubber-Modified Asphalt (RMA) Grant
Applications Accepted for Rubber-Modified Asphalt Grant
Application deadline is April 1, 2024
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet is seeking grant applications from county or metro-government entities for local road projects that utilize rubber-modified asphalt, which uses rubber from finely ground waste tires. Applications must be received by April 1, 2024.
“The division is excited to offer these grants to Kentucky counties," said the director of the Division of Waste Management, Tammi Hudson. “Rubber-modified asphalt can be a cost-effective, performance-enhancing additive for county paving projects, and improve end-use markets for recycled tires, which can lead to better waste tire management across the Commonwealth."
Counties or metro governments can apply for funding for either chip seal or thin asphalt overlay projects. Chip seal is a pavement surface treatment that combines one or more layers of liquid asphalt with one or more layers of fine aggregate. Asphalt overlay consists of a new layer of asphalt applied over an existing road surface. Rubber-modified asphalt can reduce road noise and long-term maintenance costs and increase the life of the roadway.
The money for these projects comes from the Kentucky Waste Tire Trust Fund, which receives $2.00 from every new tire sold in the Commonwealth. In addition to promoting the development of markets for recycled waste tires, the fund also pays for waste tire collection events, tire dumpsite clean-ups, and grants for counties to manage waste tires.
The cabinet will be performing testing and long-term monitoring to assess the effectiveness of rubber-modified asphalt in Kentucky. As a condition of the grant funding, counties will agree to pay for the application of conventional chip seal or thin overlay on a road in their county with similar characteristics, to allow for comparison between conventional and rubber-modified asphalt.
For more information, contact Brittany Woodward Brittany Woodward at (502) 782-0860 or bwoodward@ky.gov.
Waste Tire Grant
The Division of Waste Management offers a $4,000 grant that county government entities can use to properly dispose of waste tires in their area. This grant program is independent of the waste tire collection events and may be utilized annually by any county that applies. For more information please contact Jenny Carr.
Waste Tire Collection Events
The Division of Waste Management offers free waste tire collection events to Kentucky residents. These events occur every three years on a rotating basis for each county. Check this page frequently for upcoming waste tire collection events in your county.
Crumb Rubber/Tire Derived Products Grant Applications Now Being Accepted
Application deadline: April 1, 2024
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet is accepting grant proposals for projects that promote the use of recycled Kentucky waste tires.
The cabinet will provide grant funding for landscaping mulch projects, walking trails, poured-in-place playgrounds, sidewalks or other surfaces, horse trailer or stall mats, tree wells or other products utilizing recycled Kentucky tires.
Projects that are not eligible for grants include athletic field or loose crumb-rubber playground applications, tire-derived aggregate, tire-derived fuel, rubber-modified asphalt or civil engineering projects.
“Communities across Kentucky are using this grant program on innovative
uses of recycled tires,” said Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca
Goodman. “As a result, we’re able to recycle tires across the state and
minimize illegal dumps.”
Grant funding comes from the Waste Tire Trust Fund, established in 1998 by the Kentucky General Assembly to receive fees collected from new tire sales. The applicant will provide match funding equal to at least 25 percent of the project cost.
Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on April 1, 2024, via email to lisa.evans@ky.gov. The submittal of the application and any supporting documentation is required for the application to be considered for funding.
For more information, contact Lisa Evans at 502-782-6355 (office), 502-330-6829 (cell) or lisa.evans@ky.gov.
2024 Grant Application Packet
Full Press Release.doc
Waste Tire Working Group
In the 2011 regular session, the legislature passed House Bill 433, which established the Waste Tire Working Group (WTWG) in KRS 224.50-855, consisting of the director of the Division of Waste Management, the manager of the Recycling and Local Assistance Branch, one representative of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and two representatives of the Solid Waste Coordinators of Kentucky. The group provides advice and input to the cabinet regarding waste tire issues.
Click here for additional information.