One thing that nearly every vehicle owner will need at some point is tires. This simple fact may be one of the many reasons that you decided to open a tire store or to sell tires at your existing automotive business. As such, you may know that tires pose a significant danger to the environment and the public.
In order to avoid governmental scrutiny, you will need to make sure your business complies with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations regarding the tires in your establishment. It may help you to know what some of the large tire manufacturers do in order to do their part to preserve the environment and avoid unnecessarily polluting the air, water and ground.
The problem with disposing of tires
You are probably already aware of the hazards involved in disposing of tires, such as those below:
- They take up a substantial amount of room in dump sites and landfills.
- They give bacteria and viruses a place to breed.
- They can cause injuries to anyone around them.
- They can catch fire.
- They produce hazardous smoke and an oily residue when burned.
One way to dispose of tires is to burn them. However, in order to do so, you need to follow strict governmental guidelines. These fires do not extinguish easily and usually burn for several weeks. Air pollution is a considerable concern.
What big manufacturers are doing
Each of the big names in tires, Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone and Giti Tire, has its own environmental programs. In addition to researching ways to produce more eco-friendly products, they may also engage in more environmentally friendly disposal techniques.
For instance, companies, including yours, can repurpose tire shreds, which can be used to make a variety of products. Advances in technology allow for these efforts and others. Depending on the size of your operation, you might have the opportunity to work with companies that repurpose old tires.
Understanding your environmental obligations
It often isn’t enough to follow examples of other companies when it comes to environmental issues. You also need to gain an understanding of your legal obligations regarding tires. The more you know, the better the chances are that you will remain in compliance with the law.
Doing so may require some financial commitment up front, but those costs are often much less than the ones you would face for violations. Working with an environmental law attorney could help you gain the knowledge you need.