Tennessee Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP)

The Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP), administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) through its Office of Sustainable Practices, was established under Public Chapter 525 in 2015. The initiative is funded through a fee imposed on the first retail sale of motor vehicles titled and registered in Tennessee. Revenue from this fee supports the Tire Environmental Fund, which finances projects that promote beneficial end uses for waste tires within the state. TEAP's overarching mission is to encourage innovation and infrastructure that enhance scrap tire collection, processing, and transformation into value-added materials. The TEAP grant offers reimbursement-based financial assistance to eligible entities that propose projects under three key categories: tire recycling, tire-derived material use, and research and development. Projects must demonstrate how they will increase or improve beneficial uses of Tennessee-sourced scrap tires. For example, tire recycling efforts may include shredding, granulation, cryogenic processing, or pyrolysis. Tire-derived product use projects might incorporate rubber-based materials into construction or erosion control, while research and development proposals may explore new uses of rubber, such as rubberized asphalt or alternative energy applications. Applicants must be located in Tennessee and demonstrate that their projects use a majority of Tennessee-collected scrap tires. Permitting and regulatory compliance are required prior to application submission. Projects that involve landfilling tires or fail to demonstrate a feasible proof of concept are not eligible. Additionally, TEAP will not fund expenses such as real property purchases, furniture, salaries for for-profit entities, or administrative overhead. The program strongly favors projects that create long-term impact, leverage matching funds, and contribute to community development or education. TEAP funding ranges from $10,000 to $500,000 per award. All grants require a cost match: 50% for for-profit organizations and a minimum of 20% for local governments, state entities, higher education institutions, or nonprofits. Projects must be located within Tennessee and adhere to strict reporting requirements throughout the project lifecycle. Reporting includes documenting tire origins, end-use outcomes, and annual performance updates. Applicants must also include budget documentation with justification and ideally obtain three quotes for each equipment-related line item. The application process is managed through TDEC’s Grants Management System and requires submission of detailed project narratives, budgets, and supporting documents. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as the number of tires recycled, return on investment, innovation, community benefits, and proof of viable end-markets. While all complete applications will be considered, funding decisions are competitive, and preference may be given to entities that have not previously received TEAP support. The upcoming grant cycle opens January 15, 2026, and closes April 15, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified in June, with contracts expected to be finalized by August. Project work may not begin until contracts are fully executed. Questions about the program can be directed to Chris Pianta, Community Programs Manager, at [email protected] or by calling (615) 852-1513. Additional resources, including forms and an application checklist, can be found on the TEAP section of TDEC's website. The program does not recur on a fixed annual basis, so interested applicants should monitor for future opportunities as available.