Recognizing Progress 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 celebrating leadership and measurable impact across the U.S. tire recycling industry.
Spotlight on the Market Development Excellence Award
The Market Development Excellence Award honors efforts that have built sustained, scalable demand for tire‑derived products, embedding recycled tire materials into mainstream infrastructure and public works programs.
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Expanding RMA in Public Parks
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), in collaboration with Alabama State Parks and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, was named a finalist for leveraging rubber-modified asphalt (RMA) to resurface roads and parking areas at public parks. The initiative improves pavement durability while creating consistent, long-term demand for recycled tire materials.
Liberty Tire Recycling’s SmartMIX: Enhancing Park Infrastructure with Recycled Tire Technology
For its project, Alabama State Parks selected Liberty Tire Recycling’s SmartMIX rubber asphalt additive to ensure the roads across the public parks are smoother, safer, and more durable, without the expense and complexity associated with liquid modifiers.
SmartMIX is an easy-to-use material that enhances asphalt mix for improved compaction, flexibility, and durability. It’s made from recycled tires and can be recycled.
Strengthening Circular Markets Through Collaboration
This category recognizes initiatives that have successfully established durable, scalable markets for tire‑derived products, making recycled tire materials a dependable part of public infrastructure systems.
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
- Markets enable scale: Sustained demand is essential to making tire recycling systems durable and economically viable.
- RMA delivers performance: Rubber‑modified asphalt continues to prove its value in public infrastructure applications.
- Partnerships accelerate adoption: Cross‑sector collaboration helps move recycled tire materials from pilots to standard practice.
- Circularity depends on demand: The Market Development Excellence Award highlights the critical role end-use markets play in closing the loop on tire recycling.
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.
