{"id":188,"date":"2013-10-17T19:14:53","date_gmt":"2013-10-17T19:14:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mde\/?p=188"},"modified":"2013-10-17T19:14:53","modified_gmt":"2013-10-17T19:14:53","slug":"board-of-public-works-approves-funding-for-expanded-scrap-tire-collections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mde\/2013\/10\/17\/board-of-public-works-approves-funding-for-expanded-scrap-tire-collections\/","title":{"rendered":"Board of Public Works approves funding for expanded scrap tire collections"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVES FUNDING FOR EXPANDED SCRAP TIRE COLLECTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Efforts include greater emphasis on large farm tires; Maryland program addresses environmental, health risks posed by scrap tires \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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BALTIMORE, MD (October 17, 2013) –\u00a0<\/strong>The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved $1.5 million in funding for the collection of scrap tires \u2013 allowing the program to increase its protection of the environment and public health by placing a greater emphasis on large tires from\u00a0 farm equipment.<\/p>\n

The Board approved the funding yesterday for the Scrap Tire Citizen and Agricultural Drop-Off Day Project, which provides Maryland residents free opportunities to dispose of accumulated scrap tires. The program is seeking to increase the collection of scrap farm tires, which because of their size create challenges in collection and handling. When improperly disposed of,\u00a0scrap tires can create risks<\/a>\u00a0to the environment and public health through the potential for fire and by providing habitat for such disease-carrying pests as mosquitoes and rodents.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Board<\/a>\u00a0is composed of Governor Martin O\u2019Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaryland\u2019s scrap tire program<\/a>\u00a0has been a huge success, recovering more than 10 million scrap tires from illegal stockpiles and collecting hundreds of thousands more for proper disposal or recycling,\u201d said MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers. \u201cAs part of our efforts to expand recycling across the board, we want to make it easier for farmers to dispose of agricultural tires that are large and difficult to handle. Proper scrap tire collection and recycling helps protect the environment and public health and reduces the greenhouse gases that cause climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s funding approval is for the continuation of the tenth Drop-Off Day project. In past years, some counties accepted agricultural tires and some did not. The current 20 participating counties are now required to accept agricultural tires of any size or type. Through MDE\u2019s Scrap Tire Program funding,\u00a0Maryland Environmental Service<\/a>\u00a0is working with the counties and theMaryland Farm Bureau<\/a>\u00a0to collect and properly dispose of scrap tires.<\/p>\n

In addition to today\u2019s approval, in May the Board approved $500,000 for the project. The money is used to reimburse counties for their costs. Several drop-off events have already been held this year. Upcoming events are scheduled for:\u00a0Oct. 27(agricultural tires only) at Central Landfill in Elkton, Cecil County;\u00a0Nov. 9\u00a0at the Citizen Drop-Off Center at Western Sanitation Yard, 701 Reedbird Avenue in Baltimore City;\u00a0Nov. 9\u00a0at Hobbs Road Landfill in Denton, Caroline County;\u00a0Nov. 10\u00a0at Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill in Upper Marlboro, Prince George\u2019s County;\u00a0Nov. 16\u00a0at Forty West Landfill in Hagerstown, Washington County; and\u00a0Dec. 7\u00a0at Appeal Landfill in Lusby, Calvert County. For more details contact MDE’s Scrap Tire Program at\u00a0410-537-3314<\/a>. The Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation operates a scrap tire disposal program for farmers only. For details on arranging a drop-off under that program call\u00a0410-222-7410<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The funding for the project comes from Maryland\u2019s Used Tire Cleanup and Recycling Fund, which is administered by MDE. That fund is supported through an 80 cent recycling fee for each tire bought in Maryland. The fund supports\u00a0MDE\u2019 scrap tire program<\/a>, which in addition to funding citizen drop-off programs has successfully recovered more than 10.6 million scrap tires from illegal stockpiles.<\/p>\n

Maryland generated an estimated 5.8 million scrap tires in the fiscal year that began in July 2011, according to the most recentannual report<\/a>\u00a0on Maryland\u2019s scrap tire program. More than a million have been collected at citizen drop-off events. Scrap tires, because of their size and shape present difficult and costly disposal and recycling challenges. Tires may not be disposed in landfills because they do not compact and tend to float to the top of the landfill.<\/p>\n

The improper management of scrap tires presents risks to the environment and public health. Scrap tires can:<\/p>\n