Recognizing Innovation Through the Circle of Change Awards
The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF) has announced the finalists for its inaugural Circle of Change Awards, a national recognition program honoring leadership and innovation that are advancing tire recycling and strengthening the circular economy across the United States.
Spotlight on the Innovation in End-Use Technology Award
The Innovation in End-Use Technology Award recognizes projects that apply recycled tire materials in new and inventive ways, demonstrating how end-of-life tires can address real infrastructure, environmental, and community challenges.
Liberty Tire Recycling: Nominated for the Atlanta RMA Heat-Island Pilot
Liberty Tire Recycling is among the nominees for its Atlanta Rubberized Asphalt (RMA) Heat‑Island Pilot, developed in partnership with the Atlanta Department of Transportation, the University of Georgia, and The Ray.
The project applies recycled tire rubber in a dense urban corridor to improve pavement durability while studying climate, heat mitigation, and equity impacts.
Through this pilot, Liberty leverages its integrated operations, including tire collection, processing, and material manufacturing, to support innovative, performance-driven end-use applications.
Award recipients will be announced on May 14, 2026.
Liberty Tire Recycling Georgia Facility Information
Atlanta - Tire Collection and Processing
Address: 1593 Huber Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318-3725
Phone: 404-355-0547
Website: https://libertytire.com/Collection-and-Processing/
Jackson - Tire Collection and Processing
Address: 465 Mallet Street, P.O. Box 941, Jackson, GA 30233-1740
Phone: 770-775-3304
Website: https://libertytire.com/Collection-and-Processing/
Advancing Infrastructure Through Material Innovation
Liberty is a long‑standing leader in RMA, supporting RMA projects across the country through tire collection, processing, and the manufacturing of high‑quality recycled rubber materials. RMA is widely recognized for its durability, noise reduction, crack resistance, and extended pavement life, delivering long‑term value for transportation agencies and communities.
Expanding RMA Innovation Across Georgia
Georgia continues to be a focal point for RMA innovation, with growing interest in performance‑driven, sustainable pavement solutions. Through strong partnerships with public agencies, researchers, and industry collaborators, Liberty is helping advance RMA use across the state while supporting data‑driven evaluation of its benefits in real‑world conditions.
Exploring RMA’s Role in Addressing Urban Heat
Through projects like the Atlanta RMA Heat‑Island Pilot, Liberty and its partners are taking RMA a step further by examining whether rubber-modified asphalt can help mitigate challenges such as the urban heat island effect. By combining material innovation with academic research and public‑sector collaboration, the project aims to better understand how recycled tire materials can contribute to cooler, more resilient urban infrastructure.
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
- Innovation under evaluation: Liberty’s Atlanta RMA Heat‑Island Pilot has been nominated for the Innovation in End‑Use Technology Award, with winners to be announced later in May 2026.
- RMA delivers performance: Rubber‑modified asphalt offers proven durability and long‑term pavement benefits using recycled tire materials.
- Georgia at the forefront: The state continues to serve as a hub for RMA innovation and applied research.
- Beyond pavement: Partnerships are exploring how RMA may help address broader challenges, including urban heat and climate resilience.
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.
