Saturday's scrap tire collection nets four and a half semi loads
Comet staff report

The preliminary reports are in for the Carroll County tire and household hazardous waste collection held last Saturday.

The Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District sponsored a collection at the Carroll County Fairgrounds, filling four and a half semi trailers with scrap tires and collecting hazardous materials of all sorts, including 1,500 gallons of waste oil and 300 gallons of coolant, according to Carol Stradling, District Director.

She said 223 vehicles arrived to unload tires and 211 more brought in household hazardous waste from 232 households.

The District has sponsored the collection events for several years, and the Town of Flora has hosted the location. Stradling said when the bills come in, the total cost will be close to $20,000 for the Carroll County collection alone. All but a few hundred dollars of that is paid by the District, she said, using revenue from landfill tipping fees.

"There are no tax dollars used by the District for any programs or activities," she explained.

"We begin to get calls the first week in June, asking for details on the collection," she continued. "It's nice to have residents who are aware of the program and call or look for the promotions. What a comfort to know that residents are demonstrating 'conscientious disposal practices' for hazardous items."

Although tires are non-hazardous, they can create some dangerous situations. West Nile virus has created an increased awareness of the need to clean up tires. Tire piles provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Tires also create an eyesore for county ditches, fields and waterways if not managed properly. The Solid Waste District's tire recycling days encourage property owners to clean up tires, which discourages illegal dumping.

The Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District also provides collections in Benton, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski and White counties.

Residents with questions about future collections or special recycling programs may call the Solid Waste District at 800-856-0980 or visit the District website www.nwiswd.org.