Tire disposal events set for DeKalb residents

The DeKalb County Sanitation Division, in partnership with the Tire Management Unit of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, will host two Tire Amnesty Day events on Saturday, Sept. 14, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.The events provide an opportunity for residents to dispose of car and light-duty truck tires, and will be held simultaneouslyat the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office parking lot, 4380Memorial Drive, Decatur, and the Seminole Road Landfill, 4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood.

DeKalb County residents also will have an opportunity to dispose of small tires from wheelbarrows, golf carts and bicycles. Event participants will be limited to 10 whole or partial tires. Commercial vehicle tires and tires with rims will not be accepted.

The Tire Amnesty Day events will be instrumental in diverting tire disposal at the county-owned Seminole Road Landfill and commercial dumpsters. The events also aim to reduce the amount of illegal dumping of tires in streams, rivers and other areas throughout DeKalb County.

Improperly disposed tires can be harmful to the environment. In addition to being an eyesore and creating blight, illegally dumped tires can increase vector-borne illnesses such as Zika, West Nile, and dengue fever. Tires can also become an ignition source for environmentally-harmful fires and cause air pollution.

Tire recycling services for the event will be provided by Quality Tire Recycling Inc. and Liberty Tire Recycling LLC. All tires collected will be recycled for other applications.

The events are free and only open to DeKalb County residents. Proof of residency may be requested.