Recognizing Leadership Through the Circle of Change Awards
The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF) has announced the finalists for its inaugural Circle of Change Awards, a national program recognizing leadership, innovation, and measurable impact across the U.S. tire recycling industry.
Spotlight on the Circular Economy Trailblazer Award
Among the four award categories, the Circular Economy Trailblazer Award honors state programs that have established effective policy frameworks, sustainable funding models, and market incentives to support end-of-life tire management at scale.
Colorado: Expanding Markets Through Strategic Incentives
Colorado was named a finalist for its Waste Tire Management Enterprise program, which provides incentives for recycling waste tires into end-use tire-derived products while reducing tire stockpiles and illegal dumping.
In Colorado, Liberty supports the state’s tire management system through tire collection and transfer operations that ensure end-of-life tires are safely and efficiently moved into recycling and recovery channels.
Liberty Tire Recycling Colorado Facility Information
Denver - Tire Collection and Transfer Station
Address: 510 E 51st Avenue, Denver, CO 80216
Phone: 800-488-2752
Website: https://libertytire.com/Collection-and-Processing/
North Carolina: Building a Scalable, Stabilized System
North Carolina earned finalist recognition for implementing legislation that fully supports county-led tire collection efforts and provides incentives for expanding support for end-use markets such as rubber-modified asphalt (RMA).
Through its operations in North Carolina, Liberty Tire Recycling plays a role across the tire recycling value chain, collecting end-of-life tires, processing recycled tires, and manufacturing sustainable products for end-use markets.
Liberty Tire Recycling North Carolina Facility Information
Cameron - Tire Collection and Processing
Address: 1616 McKoy Town Road, Cameron, NC 28326
Phone: 919-499-2301
Website: https://libertytire.com/Collection-and-Processing/
Concord - Tire Collection and Processing
Address: 6322 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, NC 28027
Phone: 704-784-1210
Website: https://libertytire.com/Collection-and-Processing/
Sanford - Mulch Painting and Bagging
Address: 6015 Enterprise Drive, Sanford, NC 27330
Phone: 888-372-0883
Website: https://libertytire.com/Collection-and-Processing/
Advancing the Circular Economy Through State Innovation
Together, these finalist programs demonstrate how deliberate policy design and sustained investment can transform end-of-life tires into valuable materials that strengthen infrastructure and protect the environment.
Looking Ahead to the Awards Announcement
Winners of the Circle of Change Awards will be announced on May 14, 2026, during the Tire Recycling Conference Awards Luncheon in Denver, Colorado.
Key Takeaways
- State leadership matters: Colorado and North Carolina exemplify how thoughtful policy and funding structures can make tire recycling systems scalable and durable.
- Circular economy in action: The Trailblazer Award highlights real-world programs that move end-of-life tires from waste streams into productive, high-value uses.
- Replicable models: Both finalist programs offer practical frameworks that other states can adapt to strengthen tire recycling markets nationwide.
- Momentum is growing: The Circle of Change Awards reflects increasing demand for tire-derived materials and continued innovation across the recycling value chain.
To read the full Tire Recycling Foundation press release, visit: https://tirerecyclingfoundation.org/newsroom/circle-change-awards-finalists-announced
To learn more about the nominated projects, visit: https://tirerecyclingfoundation.org/Awards.