Scrap Tires, Recycling and the U.S. Mexico-Border

In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency outlined a plan to increase awareness and clean up the environmental hazards on the U.S.-Mexico border. One of the cornerstones of the plan was to reduce the piles of scrap tires that have accumulated on the Mexico side of the border and have created a hazardous environment for residents.

scrap tire cleanup by the U.S.-Mexico border
source: EPA

According to the Rubber Manufacturer's Association, "The US-Mexico Border 2012 Program signed in 2003 has an objective to cleanup three of the largest tire piles in the border region. However, recognizing the need to take further bi-national action to abate as well as, cleanup existing tire piles, the US-Mexico Bi-national Commission held November 2004, signed a letter stating their intent to draft a scrap tire management strategy to address the border region and all of Mexico. The focus of these efforts is 'to develop and cooperate on an environmentally sustainable, comprehensive scrap tire management strategy.'"

The RMA page also has a lot of useful links to additional resources about this important issue.

So, you may be asking, what does this have to do with Rubber Bark™? In 2009, Golden By-Products, an affiliate company, was one of the few companies, along with Bulldog Rubber and Recycling in Vista, CA to receive loans for buying equipment that aids in the breakdown of the scrap tires for recycling and reusing purposes. Rubber Bark™ has taken the scrap material and made the wonderful, colorful mulch seen in backyards, playgrounds and community centers across the state, and beyond! 

We believe, as a family-owned, environmentally-conscious company that being involved in projects, such as the Mexican border cleanup, is an important role we play as stewards of our environments, including those not within our borders.