US: Ash Grove Cement’s Seattle plant will not be allowed to burn more tyres as alternative fuel. The news comes years after the company applied for a permit from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to burn more tyres in its kiln, according to The Seattle Times. Ash Grove was required to conduct an emissions test as part of its permit to address concerns from nearby residents about emissions, according to regulatory documents. Ash Grove conducted the tests in June and August 2026, which reportedly showed that emissions of cadmium increased after more tyres were burnt, leading to the decision. Prior to the results of the emissions test, over 500 community members and 30 local businesses signed a campaign led by the advocacy group Duwamish River Community Coalition, which opposed the burning of more tyres.
In a statement, Ash Grove spokesperson Carolina Lucaroni said that the facility will comply with its permit obligations and is committed to ‘operating in full compliance with regulatory requirements.’ “We appreciate the collaborative review process and will continue exploring opportunities to advance our sustainability objectives while meeting environmental and community expectations,” Lucaroni said.
“The power of community won out in this situation where we asked for proper testing, the agency added it and as a result our lived experience … rang true,” said Mia Ayala-Marshall, a clean air program manager with the coalition.
