REGULATORY INFORMATION Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA states that TDA is a "viable" and "useful" alternative for some engineering applications, including some of the engineered designs that use ASTM 6270-B TDA (sometimes called shredded tires or recycled tire derived aggregate), and recognizes that TDA has sustainable and valuable engineering properties, and is usually a substantial cost-saving option for these projects. See EPA's statement. Minnesota Pollution Control (MPCA) The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has approved and encourages the beneficial use of recycled tires in accordance with state statute and rule . ​ Civil engineering projects were recognized by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as a sustainable aggregate replacement. In fact, the MPCA has developed rules to include a Standing Beneficial Use of tire aggregate in roadways and any engineered aggregate replacement project. ​ A Standing Beneficial Use determination means that the generator or end user of a material can do so in accordance with these subparts without contacting the agency. Under Minn. R. 7035.2860, Subp. 4., no permit is needed for TDA when: ​ G. used as a lightweight fill in the construction of public roads in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.912. Subd. T. H. used as a substitute for conventional aggregate in construction applications when the ratio of the substitution is no greater than 1:1 by volume. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) MnDOT has used TDA for Light Weight Fill projects (Highway 35, Pine City); Slope Stabilization Projects (Highway 8, Taylors Falls) and Frost Heaving Prevention Projects (Carlton County). The DOT has also sponsored research reports on TDA use. See the official Standard of Engineering Practice and TDA Research. ​

< Back Paynesville Secondary School Unique stormwater management system installed at high school Year Completed: 2020 Previous Next

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< Back Depot on Main Apartments (Zimmerman, MN) Underground stormwater system for 65-unit apartment Year Completed: 2019 Previous Next < Back Project Name This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. Heading 6 Project Gallery

< Back Elm Crest Park Trail TDA keeps city park opening on schedule Year Completed: 2005 The City of Ramsey used scrap tires as lightweight fill for the first time in 57-acre Elm Crest Park. The park, which opened in the spring of 2005, features seven soccer fields. Roughly 24,000 recycled tires were used to bridge soft soils under a trail that circles the park. The TDA (Tire Derived Aggregate) works like a snow shoe, suspending the trail on top of the soft soils. The trail will be used for walkers, bikers and vehicles used by the city for park maintenance. Prior to selecting TDA, construction of the trail stopped because the soft soils could not support the construction vehicles. It was a perfect opportunity to try something new, according to Mayor Tom Gamec. “We expect the tire shreds will make the trails last longer and hold up better,” he said. “I really like the idea of recycling tires for a good use.” The trail was constructed in January. A geotextile fabric was placed under and over the tire shreds. The fabric allows water to go through and drain freely through the tire shreds, but it keeps out soils. Tire chips are a couple inches to a few inches in size. The variation in size allows the material to interlock well, thereby creating a stronger subgrade for the trail than conventional, more uniformly sized material. A layer of sand was placed over the fabric. In some areas, black top was added, too. In the past, the city has had trouble with tree roots disturbing trails. Mayor Gamec is hopeful that the tire shreds will help minimize disruption from roots in Elm Crest Park. TDA offers several benefits, according to Monte Niemi, CEO of TDA Manufacturing. "There are several civil engineering applications for scrap tires," Niemi said. "Two main benefits are they provide a stable base for the trail or road, and they have insulating properties which keep frost from causing the surface to heave or settle." Time and effort on the job site were reduced because TDA can be applied in four-foot increments instead of the usual eight inches of other materials. Niemi also noted that other types of material require more starts and stops to test for various conditions. Another benefit is a well draining sub grade so rain or snow won't cause ponding. TDA has the approval of federal and state agencies. "In a well designed application, the performance has met or exceeded that of other materials. And, it’s more cost effective," Niemi said. First State Tire Recycling has supplied TDA for projects as small as homeowners' driveways and as large as stretches of Interstate 35. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back American Engineering Testing (St. Paul, MN) Saving limited valuable real estate space Year Completed: 2018 Previous Next < Back Project Name This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. Heading 6 Project Gallery

< Back I-35 Exit Ramp 171 (Pine City, MN) Slope stabilization going strong over 20 years later Year Completed: 1992 Exit ramp 171 in Pine City, MN is on top of nearly 1,000,000 shredded tires. At the time of completion in 1993, this was the largest TDA (tire derived aggregate) application in Minnesota. The ramp had weak underlying soils that were prone to sliding, requiring extensive maintenance repairs that proved ineffective. Over two decades after construction, the ramp remains in excellent condition. Randy McCuskey, Carlton County Maintenance Superintendant, said, “TDA is a good, inexpensive resource for us to get these roads done." TDA’s 50% reduced lateral loading and lightweight property work together to reinforce the slide failure area of the exit ramp. An additional benefit of TDA is its high permeability factor, which makes it a great drainage aggregate. Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Highway 48 (Mankato, MN) Cracks in bridge threaten railway Year Completed: 2010 During construction of a multi-year, $25 million road project in Blue Earth County on CSAH 12, an embankment leading to a bridge failed, temporarily affecting service on the DM&E Railroad's mainline that runs along the base of the embankment. Following soil borings, testing of four potential fill materials, and cost considerations, Gale Tec Engineering Inc. determined that TDA (Tire Derived Aggregate) was the best choice for solving this civil engineering challenge. In addition to being the least expensive option, shredded tires are about one-third the weight of regular soil and possess shear strength that prevents slides. The lightweight property of the shredded tires, placed on top of the existing soft soils, reduced the pressure that could increase the possibility of future slope failure. The TDA's ability to interlock when compacted during installation increases the strength of the slope, providing additional support and safety. More than 16,000 cubic yards of tire shreds (about 820,000 tires) were used in this bridge embankment project. Rather than occupying landfill space, these recycled tires are providing multiple public benefits: cost savings, increased safety and an expected reduction in long term maintenance costs on this portion of the roadway. Following completion of the project, Blue Earth County was recognized by Governor Dayton for “creative engineering solutions” and its partnership with First State Tire Recycling in resolving this problem. Project Gallery Previous Next

Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA) Tire-derived aggregate, or TDA, is a recycled construction material derived from waste tires. It is a safe and responsible choice to provide environmental, economic and performance solutions in civil engineering projects. The many beneficial properties of TDA are used to solve an array of civil engineering problems . TDA FAQs Everything from how design a project using TDA, to regulatory data. Click for more . How to Install TDA You might be surprised how easy it is (and our install video will show you)! Click here . Environmentally Friendly See how using recycled waste tires contributes to a better world. More . The 10 Properties of TDA Most projects utilizing TDA benefit from more than one of these! See them all. Live Presentations Get the latest info about TDA in a live or online presentation. You could even earn Continuing Education Credit (CEUs)! Details . Videos Additional resources about Tire Derived Aggregate. Check it out. What Others are Saying... Gerald Willet (MPCA Commissioner) The use of tire shreds saved the developers and taxpayer’s money, reduced the stress load on the parking ramp, made it possible to develop a park above the ramp, and helped recycle a part of our waste that has been a problem for years." See More .

< Back Previous Next < Back American Engineering Testing (St. Paul, MN) Saving limited valuable real estate space Year Completed: 2018 The Depot on Main, a 65-unit apartment complex in Zimmerman, MN, had very little real estate for an above-ground stormwater pond. Faced with very limited space and the the need to manage stormwater on site, Bolton & Menk designed a stormwater filtration basin using TDA instead of other more expensive aggregates. The system is designed to manage stormwater on the site, but does have an overflow into the city’s stormwater system if a rain event is too large. 84,000 tires were recycled into TDA (tire-derived aggregate) and utilized in the apartment complex’s stormwater management plan. This arrangement provides two benefits. First, the underground stormwater system was built cost effectively with the 50% void space that TDA provides. Second, the parking lot, layered over the stormwater systems, saves space and provides extra value.

< Back Previous Next < Back American Engineering Testing (St. Paul, MN) Saving limited valuable real estate space Year Completed: 2018 American Engineering Testing, Inc. Headquarters is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. They were retained to investigate Stormwater mitigation installations that had used TDA as a water storage material. They recognized the cost efficiencies of an aggregate that was very low cost, less than $5.00 per compacted cubic yard delivered to their job site. This new aggregate can retain 14 cubic feet of water in each cubic yard of TDA installed. This Sustainable new Aggregate material is specified by ASTM as an ASTM 6270-B material and is made from discarded tires. In 2018, American Engineering decided to increase the parking space capacity at their St. Paul location. They historically had an open pond serving as a stormwater device, so in their new property plan, they decided to convert the green space and open pond into more parking spaces. To continue to meet the stormwater requirements they chose to install an under parking lot infiltration gallery. They also choose TDA as the storage media for their site. Frattalone Companies did the site construction and the TDA Installation under the parking lot. First State Tire/TDA Manufacturing was the supplier of the ASTM 6270- B material. The existing pond with TDA before the stormwater system was put in place and the two separate parking lots became one. Yet another benefit of using TDA is the eco-friendly component of saving thousands of tires from a landfill.