Founder and COO
Naples - FL United States
The big idea: In 25 words or less, please tell us how this Fast 50 Nominee is helping to address the planet's problems.
Anthony Cialone is saving the planet; one tire at a time by turning old tires into a new raw material.
Please describe how this nominee is using business as a force of positive change. What technology, idea, or strategy is the nominee using -- and what problem, such as global warming, poverty, or pollution, does it address? (suggested length: 100 words)
The United States, like the rest of the industrialized world, goes through a lot of tires. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 300 million scrap tires are generated in the U.S. each year.
With a background in waste management, Tony Cialone saw an opportunity to turn these massive scrap piles into something productive. He foresaw an opportunity to grind the tires into a new raw material that could replace petroleum-based ingredients and be incorporated into a wide range of manufactured goods, including the production of new “greener” tires.
Prior to recent innovations in grinding technologies, scrap rubber could not be processed into fine enough material or powder in large volumes, making it almost impossible to be used on a daily basis for ordinary manufacturing. And, when it could be ground down to a pulpable size, the price was cost prohibitive. This, combined with the fact that recycled rubber was competing with synthetic rubber derived from cheap oil, made recycling rubber an unrealistic alternative to virgin materials.
At full production, Lehigh’s Tucker, Ga. facility will recycle more than six million scrap tires each year, helping to reduce waste and save the environment. Additional facilities are slated to begin operations in 2009, each of which will recycle six million more scrap tires.
Under Tony’s leadership, Lehigh Technologies is reducing our problem of oil dependency and offering benefits of replacing petroleum-based manufacturing ingredients with a recycled material. By recycling rubber, the United States will conserve more than three quarters of a billion gallons of oil each year. At today’s prices, this represents over $1.5 billion in annual savings.
• On average, almost ten gallons of oil are used in the production of one automobile tire. By using Lehigh Technologies’ ultra-fine rubber powder at ten percent loadings, tire companies can save the equivalent of approximately one gallon of oil for every tire produced.
• If every tire produced globally incorporated ten percent loadings of rubber powder, the world would save more than half a billion gallons of oil annually.
• In addition to reducing fossil fuel dependency, Lehigh Technologies’ recycled ultra-fine rubber powder helps protect the environment from the air and water pollution associated with land-filled tires and the air pollution associated with the burning of scrap tires.
• A commitment to recycled rubber in the U.S. would have significant economic benefits, including: utilizing 83 million scrap tires (recycling 25% of the current total) and creating close to 4,000 new jobs.
What are the results, both financial and social? How has the nominee's business performed, and what impact has it had on the problem it addresses? (suggested length: 100 words)
Lehigh Technologies is a leader in its industry with the ability to take recycled tires/scrap rubber and grind them fine enough to be used in a myriad of manufacturing applications. Lehigh is the only company that can produce high-quality rubber powder in mass volumes needed to satisfy industry demand. At full production, Lehigh’s Tucker, Ga. facility will recycle more than six million scrap tires each year, helping to reduce waste and save the environment.
Additional benefits include:
• The reduction of energy intensive products and use of environmentally preferable, energy-efficient and recycled-content products
• A decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emission/Carbon Footprint; Lehigh's Engineered Rubber Powders are carbon footprint mitigaters
• Cleaner Air – Lehigh’s manufacturing process reduces emissions associated with petroleum refining and process cracking
• Protection of natural resources through conservation and alternative renewable materials
• Lessen dependency on oil
Comments that readers have made about this submission:
It's good to see a company do something worthy of tires rather than just burn them.
Best new idea in a long time.
The time has come for everyone to work towards cleaning up the environment.
Excellent company. True pathfinder. A great service to the economy and the environment.
What a terrific idea! Eliminate waste and create something of value..
Go Green!
Great idea - we need to tackle this problem one straightforward, executable idea at a time.
This is the kind of social commerce that continues to make the USA the greatest country in the world.
This is a win win innovation. We are in desperate need of more solutions just like this and we need to expedite the implimentation of more facilities like this as soon as possible. Progressive thinking like this is way over due. Evironmental improvements are the next big business boom, and hats off to Mr. Cialone for being one of the pioneers.
I remember the piles of burning tires in a video on the news from the middle east. It brought my attention to the fact that most of the world just stacks the tires up and either burns them or lets them slowly deteriorate into the earth. The process this compnay and this man have come up with can rid the earth of this enormous problem. there are tens of millions of tires discarded each year. What a marvelous way to change the world for the better.
It is an inspiration for the future. My praises to the founder for his insight and innovation.
It is an inspiration for the future. My praises to the founder for his insight and innovation.
It is an inspiration for the future. My praises to the founder for his insight and innovation.
Everything we can do to help the environment is a plus. We should all be giving our support to companies and individuals who are environmentally conscious.
This company recycles tires in a simple and safe way. We should find more outlets for the byproduct, which woudl allow for even more recycling.
Lehigh Technologies rates a 10 - a corporation with a mission to reduce energy consumption AND address a land-fill guzzler is deserving of the highest rating it can achieve!
I think it is a fabulous idea that should be explored and developed to it's maximum capabilities. Tony clearly has what it takes to do just that.
A leader in business, in our communities and in paving the way towards a healthier enviroment. Congratulations to Lehigh and Mr. Cialone for innovation, creativity and his success!
What a wonderful simple concept that finally someone has acted on. With all the current waste in this environment, this is a great natural, cost effecting way to cut back on that waste. The decreased dependency on oil alone is enough for a win!
Nice work!
Great Idea!!
Lehigh Technologies is clearly helping to address our waste problems here in the U.S. We should all do our best to re-cycle!
I support Tony Ciaone and what Lehigh technologies wants to do for the environment.
Good idea!
Having lived through a "tire fire" in Westchester a few years ago burning for 2 weeks and threatening the property of our friends and neighbors, I am for anything that will take discarded tires out of a dump and turn them into "productive rubber" products.
This is a very important contribution to the planet. If we can have more of these type of recycling centers in the country, maybe we can take care of all our scrap tires. Couple this with alternative fuels for our cars and we can become much less dependent on the oil producers of the world.
What a great concept! Anything that mitigates oil usage and reduces environmentally harmful emissions should be commended!
This is something and someone we need more of!
I give it a 10
This is a fantastic opportunity for our environment. Not only does it rid us of the stockpiling of tires, but also reduces oil consumption, creates more jobs.
This is a win/win for all.
With or without the environmental issues it's a tremendous use of a throw away byproduct that previously had no substantive value. A 9 for sure!
This is the definition of a sustainable business. Companies like this will lead to a more sustainable world while increasing the quality of life.
Wonderful idea to save the planet while helping to create more jobs
This is a great idea to keep the environment clean.
Impressive & unique idea!
Go Green!!
Great for the environment. Keep up the good work
What an innovative idea...Go Tony!
This company is a 10
Anthony Cialone gets a 10+ from me! This company is amazing! Making a major dent in pollution and environmental issues.
Great idea and thank you for trying to help our environment as well as helping us find ways to lessen our dependency on oil.
It is so great to hear about this fantastic movement. A movement to help this land we live in and hopefully help us with these rising gas prices. These recycled tires would also be great for landings on playgrounds and in play areas. Don't know the cost involved in it but maybe something to think about. Abundant blessings to you Anthony and your project. You have my support!!
rating = 9 This looks like a great enviro-friendly company and should be applauded and recognized for it's ingenuity, advanced technology and inventiveness in addrssing the issue of scrap piles of old tires.
I feel anyone who is doing something positive and not just talking about making a difference should be lauded for their committment. With more and more cars on the road all over the world we need to do something to recycle whatever materials we can, and this is a great way to make a positive change. Thanks Anthony
What an innovative idea.
Progressive thinking and innovation that will benefit us all -- great job!
This sounds like a win-win solution, especially taking the tires out of the landfills and recycling them into a useful product with none of the air pollution associated with buring them.
J.Zybort-Oxford, CT.USA
Anthony Cialone is an innovator of the highest caliber. His company will truly make a difference in this world.
A simple yet incredibly smart and effective business model
It is great to see a company moving forward with environmentally safe recyling of tires. it can also save money and lessen our dependency on foreign oil. For years companys have done this without the technology we now have. It is safe. It is efficient. I hope they make further break-throughs to make this world a cleaner place to live in.
Ideas and action ! A great combination
Mr. Cialone and his colleagues have resolved the global dilema of what would we do with all of those worn out tires. Congratulations! The Lehigh Technologies enterprise has embarked upon the noble mission of recylcling an endless supply of waste rubber that benefits our environment in multiple ways. It would be a privilege to be a part of bringing this innovation and technology to market.
