Liberty Tire Recycling Expands Presence with Two New Alabama Facilities to Advance Sustainable Waste Tire Management
Liberty Tire Recycling, the nation’s only coast-to-coast, full-service tire recycler, has announced plans to expand its operations with two new facilities in Alabama. This strategic investment comes in direct response to the state’s decision to end the landfilling of whole tires, marking a significant step toward environmental responsibility and sustainable waste management. The new facilities will provide Alabama with the infrastructure it needs to recycle waste tires efficiently while fostering economic growth and job creation.
Strengthening Alabama’s Recycling Infrastructure
Liberty Tire Recycling will launch its first Alabama facility in early 2026 in the Mobile area, serving the southern and central regions of the state. The company also plans to open a second facility in northern Alabama, with details to be announced next year. Together, these sites will form a comprehensive recycling network that can process millions of tires annually while reducing waste and supporting Alabama’s sustainability initiatives.
The Mobile facility will focus primarily on producing tire-derived fuel (TDF), a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional fossil fuels used by pulp and paper mills and cement kilns. TDF offers a dual benefit: reducing the environmental footprint of industrial processes while diverting used tires from landfills. The northern Alabama location will expand Liberty’s capabilities further by producing rubber feedstock that can be converted into crumb rubber—an essential raw material for manufacturing rubberized asphalt, athletic surfaces, playground mats, and other sustainable products.
Altogether, the two facilities are expected to create approximately 60 high-quality jobs, offering competitive wages and comprehensive benefits. These positions will support Alabama’s growing recycling and clean energy economy while reinforcing Liberty’s commitment to community development and environmental stewardship.
A Turning Point in Alabama’s Waste Tire Policy
In 2024, Alabama’s Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) made the landmark decision to phase out the landfilling of whole waste tires over the next several years. Alabama has long been the only southeastern state that still permitted this environmentally damaging practice. The policy shift reflects growing recognition of the negative consequences of tire dumping—including the loss of valuable landfill space, the creation of mosquito breeding sites, and the influx of millions of out-of-state waste tires.
By partnering with Liberty Tire Recycling, Alabama is positioning itself at the forefront of regional sustainability efforts. The company’s new facilities will provide the necessary infrastructure to manage waste tires responsibly, ensuring they are recycled into useful materials instead of becoming environmental hazards.
“Recycling and reuse are vitally important to Alabama’s environment and economy,” said Edward Poolos, Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. “We are excited to welcome Liberty Tire Recycling to Alabama and look forward to working with them.”
Expanding Service Across the Southeast
With the addition of these two facilities, Liberty Tire Recycling will have the capacity to process more than four million waste tires annually within Alabama. This expanded capacity will not only serve local communities but also extend to neighboring regions, including Mississippi and North Florida. By establishing a strong operational footprint in Alabama, Liberty is reinforcing its commitment to regional sustainability and enhancing service coverage across the southeastern United States.
Thomas Womble, CEO of Liberty Tire Recycling, emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting Alabama’s recycling goals:
“We are very excited to enhance the recycling footprint in Alabama. Our new locations, and the investments they represent, mean we are even better positioned to meet the needs and recycling initiatives of manufacturers and our other recycling partners.”
Creating Economic and Environmental Value
Liberty Tire Recycling already collects waste tires throughout Alabama and processes them at its facilities in adjacent states. The establishment of in-state facilities will enable the company to streamline operations, reduce transportation costs, and strengthen local partnerships with tire retailers, manufacturers, and municipal governments. These collaborations will help manage the millions of waste tires generated annually in Alabama while stimulating local economies through job creation and industrial investment.
The environmental benefits of Liberty’s expansion extend well beyond waste diversion. By converting scrap tires into tire-derived fuel and crumb rubber, Liberty supports a circular economy that maximizes resource efficiency. The company’s recycling processes reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and provide sustainable materials for manufacturing and infrastructure projects.
From Tires to Products: A Circular Economy in Action
Liberty Tire Recycling’s innovations reach far beyond waste management. The company transforms used tires into a variety of valuable materials and consumer products, including:
- Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF): A low-emission, high-energy fuel source used by industries such as cement manufacturing and paper production.
- Crumb Rubber: A versatile material used in road construction, sports surfaces, and playground flooring.
- Rubber Aggregate: Used in landscaping, construction, and erosion control.
- Playground and Athletic Materials: Safety surfacing made from recycled rubber that promotes active lifestyles while reducing waste.
- Recycled Steel Wire: Extracted from tires and repurposed in the production of new steel products.
Through these processes, Liberty contributes to sustainable industrial ecosystems, helping American manufacturers incorporate recycled content into their products and infrastructure.
Building a Sustainable Future
As the leading tire recycler in North America, Liberty Tire Recycling operates more than 60 facilities across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and western Canada. The company maintains partnerships with thousands of tire manufacturers, retailers, and governmental agencies to ensure that end-of-life tires are collected, processed, and reused in environmentally responsible ways.
The addition of the Alabama facilities marks a significant milestone in Liberty’s ongoing mission to create a cleaner, more sustainable future. By transforming a waste challenge into an economic and environmental opportunity, Liberty Tire Recycling continues to redefine what it means to lead in the circular economy.
With the state of Alabama joining the movement to eliminate tire landfilling, and Liberty providing the infrastructure to make large-scale recycling possible, the collaboration represents a model for sustainable development that other regions can follow. The result is a win for the environment, the economy, and the communities that stand to benefit from cleaner, greener practices in waste management.
In essence, Liberty Tire Recycling’s expansion into Alabama is more than just a business decision—it’s a commitment to environmental innovation, regional economic growth, and the responsible stewardship of natural resources.
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