Do Your Part to TIRElessly Fight Off Mosquito Outbreaks

Do Your Part to TIRElessly Fight Off Mosquito Outbreaks

Leon County to Host Tire Amnesty Days to Prevent Mosquito Breeding Grounds

WHO:	Leon County
WHAT:	Tire Amnesty Days
WHEN:	March 10 through May 28
WHERE:	Leon County Solid Waste Facility and Rural Waste Sites

Leon County Government, in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), will once again host its Tire Amnesty Days event this spring after a record-setting collection event this past fall. From March 10 to May 28, citizens can drop off old tires for free at any County Solid Waste Facility. The event will be held across several weeks to allow for social distancing.  

Just one tire left in a backyard can become a hotspot for over 10,000 mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like Zika, West Nile and Dengue Fever. During Tire Amnesty Days citizens can visit one of the County Waste Facilities to recycle their tires for free, not only keeping their back yard clean, but also helping prevent mosquito growth in their neighborhood one tire at a time.

The County collected over 160 tons of tires in fall 2020, stopping thousands of potential breeding sites before they could occur. Due to the County’s continued community-wide tire collection success, FDEP invested additional grant dollars to extend the program.

Starting March 10, citizens can drop off tires at the Leon County Solid Waste Facility from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or at any of the Rural Waste Service Centers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. All Leon County citizens who bring a valid ID verifying their County residence may participate.

Residents may dispose of up to 25 passenger car tires free of charge. Commercial loads will not be accepted. This event is for tires only. For more information, visit www.LeonCountyFL.gov/Mosquito

Beyond Tire Amnesty Days, citizens may visit the Leon County Solid Waste Facility and Rural Waste Service Centers to dispose of household garbage, recyclables, yard waste, bulky household items, hazardous waste and white goods during normal business hours. Normal service charges will apply.  Citizens can also pick up free mulch at the Solid Waste facility, perfect for spring planting.

For more information, contact Glen Pourciau, Leon County Public Works at (850) 606-1400 / PourciauG@LeonCountyFL.gov or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

 

Leon County Solid Waste Staff D.J. Newsome & Mike Hamilton move collected tires before they are transferred to a processing facility.	In Fall 2020, Leon County collected over 160 tons of old tires from citizens for free.

Tires left in backyards and neighborhoods can collect water, which can breed over 10,000 mosquitoes per season.

 

 ###