On Saturday, Walker County, Ga., residents will be able to discard up to four scrap tires at the local landfill for free.
Old tires attract pests, junk up yards and harm the environment, according to a news release from the Walker County Commissioner's Office. The county wants to help residents recycle this neighborhood nuisance by hosting its first-ever Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day.
Properly disposing of scrap tires helps eliminate mosquito breeding sites in the community, the release states.
"West Nile Virus is really serious. We've already had someone in a neighboring county die from this mosquito-borne illness," Commissioner Shannon Whitfield said in a statement. "Tires hold water and mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. We want to get as many old tires as we can out of our community, so we can cut down on the number of mosquitoes multiplying near our homes."
Walker County officials hope to collect 2,000 tires Saturday. Tires will be sent to an approved recycling center and turned into industrial fuel or rubber mulch for landscaping and playground applications.
Car and light truck tires with wheel sizes up to 20 inches will be accepted, as well as ATV tires. All tires must be dismounted from any wheels. Tires with rims and large truck, tractor or heavy equipment tires will not be accepted.
This event is only for the public, not for commercial businesses. Proof of residency, such as a driver's license or current utility bill, will be required. Those participating also will be required to unload their own tires.
The Walker County Landfill is located at 5120 North Marbletop Road in Chickamauga.