Liberty Tire Recycling Praises Recent Manex and UC Berkeley Research Concluding Crumb Rubber Infill is 'Cost-Effective and Safe'

PITTSBURGH, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Pittsburgh-based Liberty Tire Recycling, the premier provider of tire recycling services in the United States, is praising the findings of a recent study by the Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) and the Laboratory for Manufacturing and Sustainability (LMAS) at the University of California, Berkeley.  Published this month, the study focuses on the safety of crumb rubber infill used in athletic fields.  The Manex/Berkeley research is among the most comprehensive reports to date, including reviews of existing studies from the past 12 years as well as independent analysis.

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"At Liberty Tire, we applaud the efforts of Manex and Berkeley researchers to further validate the conclusions of numerous other studies.  The evidence is clear.  Crumb rubber used in artificial turf or as a playground surfacing poses no significant health or environmental risk," said Jeffrey Kendall, CEO of Liberty Tire Recycling.  "Rather than innuendo and misconception, people now have the facts from a pair of respected authorities on these matters."

The Manex/Berkeley study identified and assessed existing research on the benefits, advantages and safety concerns of crumb rubber.  Researchers also assessed a sample from a California scrap tire recycler to support and confirm key conclusions.  In addition, they obtained test results from an independent lab and then reviewed those results against some of the key health concerns regarding contamination.

A similar study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released in December 2009 on crumb rubber infill used in athletic fields and playground surfaces also found that concentrations of materials in tire crumb are below levels considered harmful.  The EPA conducted its field study from August through October 2008 and took samples from multiple locations in different parts of the country.

"Products made from recycled rubber are becoming more and more popular in the marketplace -- from rubberized asphalt to rubber mulch and synthetic athletic turf.  People have a right to be concerned about their health and the health and safety of their families," Kendall added.  "This latest study should put any remaining concerns to rest.  Products made from recycled rubber tires are safe."  

Liberty Tire Recycling continues to reclaim more than 100 million tires each year at 26 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, creating about 1.5 billion pounds of recycled rubber for smart, sustainable products.  For more information about Liberty Tire Recycling, visit www.libertytire.com.      

A comprehensive overview of the Manex/Berkeley study is available by e-mail at [email protected].

About Liberty Tire Recycling

Liberty Tire Recycling is the premier provider of tire recycling services in North America.  By recycling more than 100 million tires annually, Liberty Tire reclaims about 1.5 billion pounds of rubber for innovative, eco-friendly products.  The recycled rubber produced by Liberty Tire is used as crumb rubber and industrial feedstock for molded products; as tire-derived fuel for industrial kilns, mills and power plants; and as rubber mulch for landscaping and playgrounds.  The company maintains a nationwide network of processing plants, and comprehensive door-to-door collection services.  Liberty Tire Recycling is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.  For more information, please visit www.libertytire.com.

SOURCE Liberty Tire Recycling