Floyd County, Georgia, received a 2026 Georgia County Excellence Award for its Rubber-Modified Asphalt Initiative, which uses recycled tire materials to improve road durability and reduce waste. The program, supported by Liberty Tire Recycling’s SmartMIX® technology, demonstrates how recycled rubber can be integrated into cost-effective, sustainable infrastructure projects.
Statewide Recognition for Innovation in Infrastructure
Floyd County has received a 2026 Georgia County Excellence Award for its Rubber-Modified Asphalt Initiative, an innovative roadway program that transforms recycled tires into durable paving material. Floyd County, Gerogia recently completed two roadway projects using rubber modified asphalt that was supplied by Liberty Tire Recycling using recycled tires collected in Georgia. The award is presented jointly by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and Georgia Trend magazine and honors county programs that improve quality of life through creativity, efficiency, and responsible use of resources.
Floyd County, Georgia was one of only six counties statewide to earn recognition and was honored during ACCG’s Annual Conference at the Savannah Convention Center in Chatham County.
“The Georgia County Excellence Awards is an annual program that recognizes the innovative spirit and ingenuity of Georgia’s counties and their leaders,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “We are grateful to our partners at Georgia Trend for their continued efforts to acknowledge the outstanding work of our local governments.”
Benefits of Using Recycled Tires in Road Construction
Turning Scrap Tires into Sustainable Roadways
The Rubber-Modified Asphalt Initiative grew out of two key challenges facing local governments: managing scrap tires and controlling rising road maintenance costs. Floyd County built on Georgia’s existing scrap tire program by partnering with local and regional recycling and tire companies to develop a more sustainable approach to roadway construction.
Liberty's SmartMIX Used in Floyd County, GA Road Paving Project
For a recent paving project, Liberty Tire Recycling’s rubber modified asphalt SmartMIX® was selected for use in Floyd County, Georgia. SmartMIX allows recycled tire rubber to be incorporated as a dry-mix additive into conventional asphalt, improving pavement performance while diverting tires from the waste stream.
SmartMIX® is a cost-effective technology that matches the performance of other modified mixes but at a lower price point and with less waste. The additives cost up to 15% less per ton and allow up to a 50% reduction in modifier costs. Other benefits of using SmartMIX® are increasing the life of pavement, which further reduces maintenance needs and investments over time. From a sustainability standpoint, all tires included in SmartMIX® are recycled tires, and the technology materials are also 100% recyclable. SmartMIX® asphalt additives have fewer emissions than wet-processed rubber or polymer mixes and help eliminate product waste.
How Floyd County Implemented Rubberized Asphalt: Easy Adoption for County Crews
Although rubber-modified asphalt was new to Floyd County, road crews reported that the material integrated smoothly into normal paving operations. County staff were encouraged to find that production and installation processes were comparable to traditional asphalt, allowing the work to be completed with existing equipment and in-house expertise.
“The neatest thing about this entire project is there is a good possibility that tires in this roadway came from Floyd County,” a project leader shared. “Knowing that we took tires out of the waste stream through our grant-funded amnesty efforts and helped recycle them into our roadways is a great outcome.”
Leadership and Long-Term Impact
Commissioner Allison Watters highlighted the collaborative nature and future potential of the initiative.
“It is such an honor for Floyd County to be recognized by ACCG and Georgia Trend for our work using rubber-modified asphalt,” Watters said. “What started as a casual conversation with Pirelli Tires evolved into a grant-funded opportunity to use recycled tires in an asphalt mix. I believe this has tremendous potential to improve roadways while using tires that would have gone to waste in a positive way.”
Program Impact
Floyd County’s initiative demonstrates how local governments can use recycled materials to improve infrastructure while reducing costs and environmental impact. As similar programs expand, rubber-modified asphalt could play a major role in more sustainable road construction across the U.S.
How Rubber-Modified Asphalt Works
- Scrap tires are collected and processed into ground rubber
- Rubber is added to asphalt using technologies like SmartMIX®
- The modified asphalt is applied using standard paving equipment
- The resulting road surface is more flexible, durable, and long-lasting
- At end of life, the material can be recycled again
Why Rubber-Modified Asphalt Matters
Using recycled tire rubber in asphalt reduces landfill waste, lowers road maintenance costs, and improves pavement durability. As infrastructure demands grow, rubberized asphalt offers a scalable way to combine sustainability with performance.
Key Takeaways
- Floyd County won a 2026 Georgia County Excellence Award for its rubber-modified asphalt program
- The initiative uses recycled tires to create more durable road surfacesLiberty Tire Recycling supplied SmartMIX® asphalt additive for local paving projects
- SmartMIX® reduces costs by up to 15% and lowers material waste
- Pilot projects proved compatibility with standard paving equipment and processes
- The program supports circular economy and sustainable infrastructure goals
Learn more about Liberty Tire Recycling's SmartMIX® here.
Visit our Sustainabiliy page here to learn more about how we are driving circular solutions forward.
FAQ: Rubber-Modified Asphalt & Tire Recycling
Q: What is rubber-modified asphalt?
A: Rubber-modified asphalt is pavement material that incorporates recycled tire rubber to improve flexibility, durability, and resistance to cracking.
Q: How do recycled tires improve road performance?
A: The rubber increases elasticity, helping roads withstand temperature changes and traffic stress.
Q: Is rubberized asphalt cost-effective?
A: Yes, technologies like SmartMIX® can reduce additive costs by up to 15% while extending pavement lifespan.
Q: Are roads made with recycled tires recyclable?
A: Yes, rubber-modified asphalt can be reused and repurposed in future paving projects.
