These discarded tires, located on the shores of Lake Superior near the village of Ontonagon, are a good example of the kind of waste tire the state wants to find reuses for. (Courtesy photo)

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech University in Houghton was among seven groups statewide to receive Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy grants to develop locations to recycle vehicle tires.

EGLE has funded more than $2 million in grants. MTU received $210,070 said an EGLE press release.

Michigan Tech will use the funding to, “install and study rubber modified rubber epoxy concrete on a bridge deck in St. Clair County as a lightweight bridge decking preservation method,” said an EGLE press release

Other groups that received money from these grants area Road Commissions from: Kalamazoo County, Clinton County, Washtenaw County and St. Joseph County. As well as Entech Inc. and the County Road Association of Michigan, said EGLE.

“These scrap tire grants support building sustainable markets for recycled tire materials in Michigan,” explained EGLE “Grants have traditionally included support for essential equipment and materials that aid in the establishment of new markets, including various manufacturing processes, implementation and testing of paving materials, energy generation, and other innovative approaches.”

For more information, call the EGLE’s Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278 or visit Michigan’s Scrap Tire Program: Mi.gov/ScrapTires.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.