Trash Trek
TRASH TREK - 2015-2016
OUR RESEARCH
THE PROBLEM
Most people know that lead is dangerous to humans and something we want to keep out of the environment. No amount of lead is safe for children - the Centers for Disease Control says that even low levels of lead in blood affect IQ,ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. Higher amounts are toxic to nervous system,kidneys and more. And effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected.
But few people know that their cars can be one of the worst sources of lead pollution. More specifically their wheels - or this little thing called a wheel weight.You probably know that you need to get your wheels balanced.When you get your car serviced,you know that the mechanics do something to keep your wheels from getting out of whack and giving you a bumpy ride.
But did you know that it's this little piece of metal - a wheel weight - that does the balancing ?
Most people know that lead is dangerous to humans and something we want to keep out of the environment. No amount of lead is safe for children - the Centers for Disease Control says that even low levels of lead in blood affect IQ,ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. Higher amounts are toxic to nervous system,kidneys and more. And effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected.
But few people know that their cars can be one of the worst sources of lead pollution. More specifically their wheels - or this little thing called a wheel weight.You probably know that you need to get your wheels balanced.When you get your car serviced,you know that the mechanics do something to keep your wheels from getting out of whack and giving you a bumpy ride.
But did you know that it's this little piece of metal - a wheel weight - that does the balancing ?
Wheel weights can be made out of Zinc or steel,but they are also made out of Lead . They work just the same regardless of what they are made out of. They can be clipped on to the wheel or they can be made with an adhesive that sticks them to the tire. The problem is that the weights can fall off- when you hit a bump, which we have MANY of on South Carolina roads, when you hit a curb, or take a turn too fast- and they end up on the side of the road.
In as little as two weeks, the weights can get run over and abraded-and the lost particles get washed into storm drains and into our soil or waterways.If they don't get washed into drains, they can get picked up by street sweepers and deposited unsafely in the landfill. Lost wheel weights are a SERIOUS problem when they are made out of lead, which is dangerous to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 1.6 million pounds of lead are lost in the environment each year. But wheel weights are also made out of zinc, steel, and other safer metals.
In as little as two weeks, the weights can get run over and abraded-and the lost particles get washed into storm drains and into our soil or waterways.If they don't get washed into drains, they can get picked up by street sweepers and deposited unsafely in the landfill. Lost wheel weights are a SERIOUS problem when they are made out of lead, which is dangerous to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 1.6 million pounds of lead are lost in the environment each year. But wheel weights are also made out of zinc, steel, and other safer metals.
APPROACH
We used many sources of information to research about how one can be organized.Some of the resources were
The problem comes at a local,independent tire retailer or service station.Because they are independent,they make their own choices about what they sell and many of them still use lead wheel weights because that's what they've traditionally offered. And the majority of customers don't ask for non-lead weihts,so they tend to sell what they have traditionally used,which is lead
We used many sources of information to research about how one can be organized.Some of the resources were
- Tire exchange- Mauldin
- Mid-state auto supply
- Auto maintenance repair association
- Websites
The problem comes at a local,independent tire retailer or service station.Because they are independent,they make their own choices about what they sell and many of them still use lead wheel weights because that's what they've traditionally offered. And the majority of customers don't ask for non-lead weihts,so they tend to sell what they have traditionally used,which is lead
OUR SOLUTION
Our team's solution to the problem of lead wheel weights in the environment is a legislation that would ban lead wheel weights in South Carolina, accompanied by an outreach campaign educating voters about the dangers of lead wheel weights. In
other words, to GET THE LEAD OUT! We spent time learning about marketing and demographics and identified our target customer, and we developed a campaign to get the lead out.
Our team's solution to the problem of lead wheel weights in the environment is a legislation that would ban lead wheel weights in South Carolina, accompanied by an outreach campaign educating voters about the dangers of lead wheel weights. In
other words, to GET THE LEAD OUT! We spent time learning about marketing and demographics and identified our target customer, and we developed a campaign to get the lead out.
Our proposed bill would create an 18 month phase out for lead wheel weights. 18 months after the bill is signed into law, no lead wheel weights may be sold or used to replace wheel weights in the state of South Carolina. This 18 month period allows business owners with lead wheel weights time to remove them from their inventory. And the language about replacement means those citizens who already have lead wheel weights can replace them at the time of their next regular service visit. We are proud to announce that Representative Bruce Bannister, Representative Chandra Dillard and other members of our county delegation has introduced this bill H.5141in the house. And Senator Karl Allen and Senator Ross Turner will introduce a companion bill in the senate.
To support the bill, we developed a voter education campaign. Our campaign has several parts to it: First, we developed a logo that would be easily seen from a distance and would let people know we’re talking about something that has to do with wheels. We created a website with information about lead wheel weights and why they are dangerous – www.saynotolead.com .
To support the bill, we developed a voter education campaign. Our campaign has several parts to it: First, we developed a logo that would be easily seen from a distance and would let people know we’re talking about something that has to do with wheels. We created a website with information about lead wheel weights and why they are dangerous – www.saynotolead.com .
SHARING
We’ve shared our solution with Upstate Forever, an environmental advocacy organization based here in Greenville County. Two of their focus areas are clean water and solid waste. Both of those division directors were unaware of lead wheel weights but because of our work now believe it’s important to address. With their help, we met with House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister and then
presented to our Greenville County Legislative Delegation.
We’ve shared our solution with Upstate Forever, an environmental advocacy organization based here in Greenville County. Two of their focus areas are clean water and solid waste. Both of those division directors were unaware of lead wheel weights but because of our work now believe it’s important to address. With their help, we met with House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister and then
presented to our Greenville County Legislative Delegation.
CONCLUSIONS
So now we hope that you’re aware of the dangers of lead wheel weights and the other easy and safe options for your car the next time you get your car serviced. And we hope that you’ll contact your elected official and ask him or her to vote to GET THE LEAD OUT!
So now we hope that you’re aware of the dangers of lead wheel weights and the other easy and safe options for your car the next time you get your car serviced. And we hope that you’ll contact your elected official and ask him or her to vote to GET THE LEAD OUT!