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National Lead Free Wheel Weight Initiative (NLFWWI)
Lead Wheel Weight Topics
Basic Information on Lead Wheel Weights
Wheel weights are clipped to the rims of every automobile wheel in the United States in order to balance the tires. These weights often come loose and fall off. They are either washed into storm sewers and end up in waterways or are gathered during street cleaning and placed in municipal landfills. The weights are susceptible to atmospheric corrosion. Currently, there are no regulatory controls governing the use of lead wheel weights.National Lead Free Wheel Weight Initiative (NLFWWI)
To encourage the transition away from the use of lead for wheel weights, the US EPA has created an opportunity for entities engaged in the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of wheel weights to participate in a voluntary effort to accelerate this transition. To operationalize this concept, the Agency is creating the NLFWWI. By participating in this Initiative, organizations are taking one step toward achieving the phase-out of the sale and installation of lead wheel weights. U.S. EPA encourages the pursuit of additional activities designed to achieve an accelerated transition away from the use of lead wheel weights. Organizations participating in the NLFWWI intend to:- Identify the volume of lead to be eliminated;
- Reduce the use of lead for wheel weights by December 31, 2011;
- Take responsibility for providing information, education, and outreach to the public, regarding the benefits of using lead-free wheel weights;
- Properly collect and recycle used lead wheel weights in their current inventory or acquired through normal business operation;and
- Publicly endorse the NLFWWI and encourage the use of lead free wheel weights by others.
In April 2008, the Environmental Council of States (ECOS) introduced a resolution in support of U.S. EPA’s NLFWWI. ECOS members adopted the resolution unanimously.
ECOS Resolution 
phasing out the sale and installation of lead wheel weights.
NLFWWI Recognition Ceremony Press Release
Lead Wheel Weight Quick Facts
- There are 200 million autos and light trucks on the nation's roadways.
- Sixteen million new autos are produced annually in the United States.
- An average of 4.5 ounces of lead is clipped to the wheel rims of every automobile in the United States.
- Approximately 50 million pounds of lead is used annually to produce tire weights worldwide in autos and light trucks.
- 75% is recycled by secondary lead smelters.
- 25% (or 12.5 million pounds annually) is uncontrolled or unmanaged in the environment.
- 13% of the 12.5 million pounds (1.6 million pounds) is lost when wheel weights fall off during normal driving conditions (e.g., hitting a pot hole).
- 87% of the 12.5 millions pounds (10.9 million pounds) is sold or given to hobbyists for recreational purposes (e.g., melting down to make fishing sinkers).
Links
-
Lead-Free
Wheels
works with independent tire dealers and public fleets in Michigan and
the Midwest to install non-lead tire weights.
-
Clean
Car Campaign
A national campaign coordinated by state, regional and national environmental
organizations promoting a clean revolution in the motor vehicle industry.
More on Lead
Lead (PDF) (2 pp, 11K, About PDF) is a highly toxic chemical that has been designated as one of 31 Priority Chemicals targeted for reduction by EPA. Lead is a documented contaminant of air, land, water, plants and animals and exposure to lead can cause serious health problems. Read more about the properties, uses, and hazards of lead.
How to Join
To join the NLFWWI or for other information, please contact:
Anita Cummings
Office of Solid Waste
Phone: 703-308-8303
Email: cummings.anita@epa.gov
National Partnership for Environmental Priorities
Organizations interested in joining the National Lead Free Wheel Weight Initiative are encouraged, but not required, to become National Partnership for Environmental Priorities partners. The National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) program partners with public and private organizations to reduce the use or release of any of 31 Priority Chemicals (PCs), including lead and mercury.
NPEP partners receive a variety of benefits, including:
- Public recognition for achieving voluntary reductions in Priority Chemicals.
- Information about your organization and your goals posted on our Partners Page.
- Your environmental achievements and Success Stories posted on the NPEP website.
- Use of EPA's NPEP logo to identify your organization as a partner (please note that EPA cannot endorse the purchase of a particular company's products or services).
- The opportunity to display your NPEP membership plaques and achievement awards to customers, suppliers, employees, and stockholders.
To become an NPEP partner, please link to Join NPEP!
