TRF’s 10th Tire Recycling Conference Highlights Expanding End-Use Markets as the Foundation for a Sustainable ELT Future
May 13, 2026
Denver, Colo., May 13, 2026 – The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF) today kicked off its 10th biennial Tire Recycling Conference in Denver, Colorado, convening leaders from across the country to accelerate solutions and expand markets for end-of-life tire (ELT) materials in the United States.
Held under the theme of “Tread Boldly: Advancing Tire Recycling Through Collective Innovation,” the conference brings together manufacturers, distributors, retailers, recyclers, researchers, government leaders and environmental advocates who share a commitment to scaling proven ELT applications and unlocking new end-use demand. The diversity of stakeholders, spanning the full length and breadth of the ELT value chain, reflects the cross-sector collaboration the conference has championed throughout its more than 20-year history.
“For more than two decades, this conference has brought together the people and ideas needed to move the industry forward,” said Stephanie Mull, executive director of the Tire Recycling Foundation. “Looking ahead, our focus is clear: strengthen end-use markets, accelerate innovation, and work collaboratively to build a more resilient and sustainable solutions for ELTs.”
Throughout the conference, attendees will explore emerging technologies, market-driven strategies, and policy frameworks that advance both the economic and environmental performance of tire recycling. The conference program is centered on the critical need for aligned, cross-value chain collaboration to unlock the next phase of progress.
As a milestone 10th biennial conference, TRF will welcome Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, a recognition of the pivotal role state leadership plays in driving ELT market growth. Strong state programs with emphasis on market development are not only essential for responsible tire management but are a catalyst for economic opportunity.
Through intentional investment in building and expanding end-use markets such as rubberized asphalt, engineered fill, and sustainable commercial products, including highway safety barriers, these markets create local jobs, reduce landfill pressure, and generate lasting demand for recycled tire materials. Active, well-supported state programs, paired with robust market development, are the most effective path to circular, sustainable outcomes.
“The strength of this conference lies in its ability to bring the full value chain together,” said Dick Gust, president of the Tire Recycling Foundation Board. “That collaboration is essential to identifying what works, scaling it effectively, and driving the next phase of market growth and environmental impact.”
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About the Tire Recycling Foundation
The Tire Recycling Foundation is a broad-based, whole value chain initiative, led by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), committed to securing funding and allocating grants for research, education, intervention and demonstration projects targeting critical gaps within the tire recycling supply chain across the United States. For more information, visit: https://tirerecyclingfoundation.org/