Introduction: The Growing Challenge of Scrap Tires
In the United States, over 300 million tires are discarded annually. These scrap tires pose significant environmental risks when improperly stored or dumped, including fire hazards, water contamination, and mosquito-breeding grounds. Yet, with the right technology and regulation, tires are no longer waste — they’re a valuable resource.
At DES Green LLC, headquartered in Waxhaw, North Carolina, and serving across North and South Carolina, we’re helping reshape the tire recycling industry by turning environmental liabilities into commercial opportunities.
National Snapshot: Where Does the U.S. Stand in 2025?
According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and EPA data:
This imbalance signals an urgent need for more accessible, regional recycling infrastructure — especially in underserved areas like rural North and South Carolina.
DES Green LLC’s Approach to Tire Recycling in the Carolinas
As a forward-thinking recycler in the Southeast, DES Green LLC takes a systems-driven, technology-enabled approach to tire recycling:
✅ Collection & Logistics
We offer scheduled and on-demand pickups from:
- Auto repair shops and tire centers
- Fleet depots and logistics yards
- Manufacturing and rubber product plants
- Municipal transfer stations
Our fleet tracking and route optimization tools help reduce fuel usage during tire pickups, aligning with our low-carbon operations mandate.
🔍 Inspection & Grading
Collected tires are visually and digitally inspected for:
- Reusability or retreading
- Shredding suitability
- Contamination or embedded metals
We utilize digital tagging and batch management software to ensure full material traceability.
⚙️ Processing & End Use
Tires are processed into:
- TDF (Tire-Derived Fuel) for cement kilns and industrial boilers
- Crumb Rubber for playground surfaces, turf infill, and modified asphalt
- Shredded Material for civil engineering (e.g., landfill drainage layers, embankment fill)
Our upcoming tire shredding and crumbing facility in Waxhaw, NC will enable DES Green to process 100,000+ tires annually, reducing landfill dependency while supporting local infrastructure projects.
📜 Regulatory Compliance: EPA, State Laws & Tracking
Tire recycling is heavily regulated across federal and state levels. DES Green operates in full compliance with:
- EPA Scrap Tire Management Guidelines
- North Carolina DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) rules on tire storage and processing
- South Carolina DHEC Scrap Tire Program
- Manifest Tracking for every tire load, ensuring audit-ready reporting
We provide Tire Disposal Certificates for all commercial clients, ensuring traceability and accountability.
Technological Innovations Driving Tire Recycling in 2025
- Pyrolysis & Devulcanization
Emerging thermal and chemical processes can break tires down to oil, gas, carbon black, and steel. While not yet mainstream due to regulatory hurdles and high capex, these technologies are gaining traction.
- Smart Logistics Integration
At DES Green, we’re adopting telematics and route learning systems to improve pickup efficiency, reduce emissions, and enable real-time client updates.
- Blockchain for Tire Traceability
Some tire manufacturers and recyclers are exploring blockchain systems to document every step — from tire birth to end-of-life — especially in government contracts and high-risk markets.
Environmental & Economic Benefits of Tire Recycling
Proper tire recycling has cascading benefits:
Groundwater Protection: Prevents leachate and toxic runoff from illegal dumping
Infrastructure Value: Supplies raw material for civil works, playgrounds, and roadways
Carbon Reduction: Prevents CO₂ emissions associated with new rubber production and landfilling
Job Creation: Grows local employment in transport, sorting, shredding, and R&D
Tire Recycling in North & South Carolina: The Road Ahead
While both states have active scrap tire programs, there’s still limited access to local processing in rural and semi-urban areas. That’s where DES Green steps in.
Our Expansion Vision:
- Waxhaw Tire Crumbing Plant (Coming Q1 2026)
- Regional Collection Hubs in Gaston and Union Counties
- Partner Program for garages and fleet depots with loyalty-based pickup credits
School and Community Awareness Drives promoting safe tire disposal
Partner With Us
If you’re a:
- Tire retailer
- Auto repair shop
- Fleet operator
- Municipality
- Construction or paving contractor
DES Green LLC can help you meet your tire disposal obligations safely, affordably, and sustainably.
📧 Contact us today to schedule a pickup or become a registered recycling partner.
About DES Green LLC
DES Green LLC is a government-compliant recycling company based in Waxhaw, NC, offering professional tire, metal, and e-waste recycling solutions across the Carolinas. Led by sustainability-focused CEO Saket Sapre, our mission is to transform waste streams into economic value and environmental progress.