Frazier’s Bill to Increase Tire Recycling in California Advances in Senate

SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D–Discovery Bay) to significantly decrease the number of waste tires in California and reduce greenhouse gas emissions has advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Frazier’s AB 509 creates the Tire Recycling Incentive Program (TRIP), an incentive-based program that will replace the current ineffective grant-based system.

“California generates an astounding 44 million waste tires every year,” Frazier said. “The tire recycling program created by AB 509 is expected to double California’s tire recycling rate by the year 2020. Millions of tires will be diverted from the waste stream. These tires will be used to manufacture a variety of new tire-based products, starting an entirely new market for these recycled materials.”

Waste tires degrade slowly and emit greenhouse gasses if not disposed of properly. Waste tires are also a threat to human health and the environment. They are unsightly and become fertile breeding grounds for rodents and mosquito’s, which can contribute to the spread of diseases like West Nile Virus.

“More than 50 percent of the money will go to support rubberized asphalt concrete products, resulting in significant increases in the amount of tire-based rubberized asphalt on our roads,” Frazier added. “This legislation was conceived and crafted through a collaborative process between my legislative team, Californians Against Waste and the tire industry, including dealers, recyclers and haulers. It’s an example of what can be accomplished when people and groups with diverse interests and needs work together for a common benefit.”

“AB 509 will finally reform the state’s stagnant tire recycling program by creating recycling markets for tires that are currently a source of blight and pollution in our communities,” added Nick Lapis, Director of Advocacy with Californians Against Waste, which is sponsoring AB 509.

AB 509 was approved the Assembly Natural Resources and Appropriations committees, and by the full Assembly on a Floor vote on May 31. The Senate Environmental Quality Committee approved it on July 5 and sent it to the Senate Appropriations Committee. When Appropriations releases the bill later this month it will then to the full Senate for a vote.

###

Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11^th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.