Podcast Transcript: “Talk and Tires”
Intro:
[0:03] Welcome to Talk and Tires, the podcast that delves deep into the world of tires. Join us as we explore everything from the science behind tire manufacturing to the latest innovations in tire recycling. Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of tires, including how they work, how to maintain them, and how to dispose of them responsibly. Whether you’re a seasoned mechanic, curious car enthusiast, or an avid recycler, Talk and Tires is the perfect podcast for anyone who wants to learn about this essential component of modern vehicles and heavy equipment. So buckle up and join us for an informative and engaging journey into the world of tires.
Episode Content:
[0:43] Craig Hunter (Host): Welcome to another episode of Talk and Tires! I’m your host, Craig Hunter, president of Tire Reclaim. Today’s a special one—it’s the anniversary of our very first episode! I’m here with Tom Parker from All American Tire Recyclers. It’s been a year, Tom. Welcome back!
Tom Parker: Thanks, Craig. Glad to be here again. You know, looking at myself on camera, I don’t think I’ve aged a year, but considering the challenges of 2024, I’m surprised I look this good. My wife’s definitely going to give me a hard time for saying that!
Craig: Well, there’s a lot to catch up on. The tire recycling industry moves fast, and from what I’ve seen, you’ve been keeping up. Watching our first episode recently, everything you warned me about came true—from operational pitfalls to bonus structures for drivers. But let’s jump into what’s new. For those unfamiliar with Tom’s story, go back and watch our first episode. It’s a great tale of perseverance, risk-taking, and building a successful tire recycling business.
[1:28] Craig: Let’s fast forward. Last time we spoke, I had just installed a Jomar tire recycling machine. You helped us avoid some big mistakes, especially with crumb rubber production. Thanks to your advice, we’ve been selling crumb rubber for a year now and even supplied material for eight football fields here in Idaho.
Tom: That’s incredible, Craig. Congratulations! It’s always rewarding to see success stories like yours. We’ve been proud to play a small part in your journey. I remember the visits to your facility—it’s been amazing watching your progress.
Craig: Your guidance saved us from major headaches. Our team leaned on your experience, and it’s made a huge difference. Brett, our operations guy, is always telling me about the calls he’s had with you for advice.
[3:36] Tom: Happy to help! Testing and quality control have always been my focus. For example, our steel mill customers love that they can pull unannounced samples from our shipments, and it’s always top-quality. That’s how we’ve built trust and reputation.
Craig: It’s the same with crumb rubber. Consistency and quality are key. We’ve made a lot of progress in Idaho, but challenges remain. For instance, we’re working on passing a tire recycling bill to address illegal dumping and legacy tire piles.
[6:26] Craig: One of our big focus areas is stopping the problem at its source. You can’t clean up without first fixing the root issues. In addition to legislation, we’ve been exploring tire-derived fuel (TDF) and learning from your setup. How’s your TDF production going?
Tom: It’s going great. We’re processing about 210 to 230 tons daily, which translates to roughly 18,000 tires a day, running 24/7. Last year, we produced 20 million pounds of crumb rubber, surpassing our goal of 16 million. We’re proud of that.
Craig: That’s impressive! Have you faced challenges with storage?
[10:50] Tom: Absolutely. We’ve had to navigate additional regulations for storing large amounts of crumb rubber. Permits, financial assurances, and changing bureaucratic perceptions have been hurdles. But it’s all part of the game.
Craig: Education is key in this industry. Many regulators and stakeholders don’t fully understand tire recycling, and that’s something we’re all working to address.
[13:01] Craig: Let’s talk about ultra-fine crumb rubber. I noticed you were featured in Scrap Tire News for your work with rubberized asphalt. Is that where your 30-minus material goes?
Tom: Yes, but we’re primarily using 20-minus crumb rubber. We partner with Polyco, a company that produces high-quality liquid rubberized asphalt. It’s a top-tier product, and it’s been a game-changer for us. We’re proud to see tires from Fort Worth and Dallas transformed into asphalt for roads in those same communities.
[18:10] Craig: Speaking of innovation, what’s new on the tech front? Are you exploring AI for operations?
Tom: Absolutely. We’re implementing an AI-driven routing system that uses historical data to optimize our pickups. It’ll predict how many tires a customer has, route the trucks efficiently, and minimize errors. It’s a $30,000 investment but worth every penny. AI removes the guesswork and improves customer satisfaction.
Craig: That’s smart. AI is only as good as the data you feed it, but starting early is key. Reinvesting in tech is the future of this industry.
[22:29] Tom: Exactly. It’s about making jobs easier and scaling efficiently. AI helps us replace complexity with automation, freeing up our team to focus on customer service.
Craig: You’ve always been ahead of the curve, Tom. Thanks for sharing your insights.
[28:01] Tom: My pleasure, Craig. It’s been a fantastic year, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. The tire recycling industry is tough, but we’re pioneering something important. Thanks for having me, and let’s make 2025 even better.
Craig: Agreed. Here’s to another great year. Thanks, Tom.
Outro:
[29:00] Thanks for tuning in to Talk and Tires. Don’t forget to subscribe and join us next time for more insights into the world of tires.