Illinois EPA Completes Used Tire Removal Actions in Monroe and Randolph Counties

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim announced the completion of a Units of Local Government tire removal action in the Agency's Collinsville region. The used tire removal action is part of the Agency's efforts to assist units of local government in providing and maintaining a healthy environment by removing used tires from public and abandoned properties.

"Improperly managed and discarded tires are a threat to the environment and serve as a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitos," said Director Kim. "Our local partners work to collect these tires enabling the Agency to coordinate tire removals on a regional basis to ensure the tires are properly disposed and no longer a threat to local communities."

On September 3 and 4, the Illinois EPA and the Monroe County Health Department sponsored a Units of Local Government (ULG) tire collection at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Waterloo. The Illinois EPA's Used Tire Fund covered the cost of the event, and a local contractor removed the tires collected during the event. In total, 69.24 tons, approximately 5,400 car, truck and tractor tires, were received from various levee districts, county road districts and municipalities throughout Monroe and Randolph Counties.

These collections are possible through the cooperation of units of local government, who assist in the coordination of the collections, allowing the Agency to properly dispose of the waste tires that have been collected from public properties, including roadsides, public parks and abandoned sites. Dumped tires can contaminate air, land and water and serve as habitats for disease-carrying insects, particularly mosquitoes. Removal of tires throughout the year will further reduce the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.

Through the Used Tire Program, used tires are properly disposed of at a registered, commercial used tire processing facility in Illinois. Some tires are retreaded and reused, and others are recycled into a variety of products and uses. The Illinois EPA's Used Tire Program is funded by a $2.50 per tire fee that consumers pay when purchasing tires at retail.