Leon County Hosts Tire Collection Event to Prevent Mosquito Breeding Grounds

TIRElessly Fight Mosquito Outbreaks with County Tire Collection Program

Leon County Hosts Tire Collection Event to Prevent Mosquito Breeding Grounds

WHO:

Leon County

WHAT: 

WHEN:

Beginning Monday, November 1

WHERE: 

Leon County Solid Waste Facility and Rural Waste Service Centers

After a record-setting collection event in 2020, Leon County Government will once again host its annual Tire Amnesty Days, a free tire collection program to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Beginning Monday, November 1, citizens can drop off old tires for free, at the Leon County Solid Waste Facility or any of the Rural Waste Service Centers. 

Last year’s Tire Amnesty Days program collected 300 tons of tires, the weight equivalent of two blue whales. However, just one tire left in a backyard can become a breeding ground for over 10,000 mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like Zika, West Nile and Dengue Fever. The 2021 program builds on the event's previous success, encouraging citizens to help protect the environment by participating in the process of recycling and repurposing unwanted tires.

Starting November 1, citizens can drop off tires at the Leon County Solid Waste Facility from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday or at one of the Rural Waste Service Centers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday-Sunday. The program will run until May 27, 2022, or until grant funds run out. 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 and no other items will be accepted. 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 tires, household garbage, recyclables, yard waste, bulky household items, and white goods during normal business hours. Normal service charges will apply.

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.

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Leon County Solid Waste Staff D.J. Newsome & Mike Hamilton move tires collected from 2020's Tire Amnesty Days.

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