Kentucky awards over $980,000 in grants for rubber-modified asphalt and rubber mulch projects

Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet reports that this June it awarded over $480,000 in grants to six counties for application of rubber-modified asphalt to roadways and $500,000 in grants – for projects that use rubber mulch from end-of-life tires.

Rubberized asphalt grants

As regards to the rubberized asphalt initiatives, counties receiving grants in Kentucky were approved on June 18 and include: Hardin ($114,514), Calloway ($56,100), Simpson ($85,830), McLean ($85,000), Butler ($101,430), and Green ($39,875).

The grant funding will be used for the application of chip seal or asphalt overlay to county or metro government roads. Chip seal is a road surface treatment that combines one or more layers of asphalt with one or more layers of fine aggregate and can extend the life of a road by four to eight years. Asphalt overlay is a new layer of asphalt applied over an existing asphalt surface and can extend the road life by seven to ten years.

Rubber mulch grants

Governor Andy Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) Secretary Rebecca Goodman announced on June 18 that $500,000 in grant funding has been awarded for benches, picnic tables and poured-in-place surfacing projects that utilize recycled end-of-life tires.

The grants are from the Waste Tire Trust Fund, established by the 1998 Kentucky General Assembly to receive a $2 fee from each retail sale of a new tire in the state. The fund helps manage the approximately five million scrap tires generated in Kentucky each year and promotes the development of markets for recycled tire products.

“Everyone benefits when we recycle, and so does our planet” said Gov. Beshear. “These projects show how waste tires can be used to create valuable products that take advantage of the durability of recycled tire rubber.”

Cabinet Secretary Goodman said poured-in-place rubber surfacing is becoming popular because it is safe and easier to maintain. “The Division of Waste Management is pleased to be a partner in these efforts through these grants,” she said.

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.

In case you would like to learn more about the future grants or read more about funding initiatives for tire recycling activities launched and maintained by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, please visit its official website.

Press release by Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.