Illinois EPA's used tire program protects public health, safety and the environment

SPRINGFIELD—Scrap tires are an ideal incubator for the mosquito larvae that carries diseases such as West Nile virus and encephalitis.  For that reason, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has been removing scrap tires from the environment, and collecting waste tires from individuals through its Used Tire Program.  Since its inception in 1992, the Agency has removed more than 15 million tires from ravines and other remote places, and has offered individuals a way to eliminate tires they may have accumulated on their properties.

 

"Illinois' unusually wet spring, has resulted in even more standing water than usual; this gives mosquitoes even more places to breed," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott.  "So we need to be even more vigilant about removing old tires and other items that might retain water."

 

In addition, tires that are inappropriately disposed of can lead to tire fires that can contaminate the air, land and water.  Also, when surrounded by the extreme heat of the fire, the tires can melt into an oily substance that, when drenched with water, can form a harmful run-off that can contaminate nearby surface water and groundwater.  Regardless if dumps are in rural or urban areas, they pose a risk to a large number of people, particularly children, the elderly, and those individuals with chronic respiratory conditions.

 

"Old tires left outside that collect water when it rains are breeding grounds for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus.  To reduce your risk of being infected with West Nile virus, which can cause fever, headaches, paralysis or even death, it is important to get rid of old tires full of stagnant water," said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

 

There are some easy steps to take to protect your neighborhood from mosquitoes and the diseases they carry.

The Illinois EPA invites communities to co-sponsor tire collections.  These collection events are open to all Illinois residents, regardless of the county in which they reside, and allow each individual to bring in up to 1,000 tires for one-time free disposal.  The resident must, however, agree in writing to never again accumulate tires.  Businesses that generate used tires as a result of their normal operations are not eligible to participate in an Agency-sponsored collection event.

 

The Illinois EPA also conducts individual consensual removals, during which the tires are collected from the property by a contractor at no cost to the property owner.  Again, the resident must agree in writing to never accumulate used tires in the future. 

 

When the Illinois EPA finds an accumulation of waste tires that poses a threat to public health or the environment, the agency takes enforcement action.  An administrative notice is issued that requires the property owner to remove the tires, and take the necessary preventative and corrective action that eliminates the public health threat.

 

Once collected, the Agency transports most of the tires to a shredding facility, where they are typically processed into tire derived fuel, which can be burned with coal to generate electrical power.  Shredded tires are also recycled into products, such as crumb rubber, which is used in the construction of all-weather running tracks, as the ground cover for playgrounds and landscaping mulch, and in the production of rubberized asphalt, as well as rubber products such as floor mats for cars.

 

The Agency's Used Tire Program is funded by the $2 tire user fee charged to retail tire customers in Illinois.  The Illinois EPA relies on the public to help identify improperly-managed used and waste tires.  If you would like to contact the Illinois EPA's Used Tire Program, please call 217/785-8604.  For the 2008 tire collection schedule, go to: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/tires/waste-tire-schedule.html