Lewis County residents have until 2 p.m. today to drop off unwanted tires at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.
The tire recycling event is the second of its kind put on this spring through a partnership of Lewis County Code Enforcement and the Department of Ecology. The first incarnation was held in Mossyrock in April. According to Melanie Case, the recycling program coordinator for the county, 121.21 tons of tires were recycled during that three-day event. Amazingly, 18 tons of those tires came off of one property.
Eric Klepper, of Randle, unloaded about 23 crusty tires out of the back of his pickup on Thursday. Klepper noted most of the tires he delivered were scattered about his property in Randle when he moved in. He figures it’s a combination of laziness and frugality that allows the unsightly tire stacks to accumulate.
“It’s amazing how many people don’t want to pay that disposal fee at the tire shop,” said Klepper.
Organizers estimated that about 50 people dropped off tires in just the first few hours of operation on Thursday. Some folks came with just one tire to toss, while others arrived with dump trucks and trailers stacked high with dilapidated ,water sloshing tires.
“I think Saturday’s going to be really busy so I wouldn’t be surprised if this surpasses Mossyrock,” said Case.
The tire amnesty event is only open to Lewis County residents, and tires from heavy machinery or businesses will not be accepted. However, passenger tires can be recycled either on or off the rim and there is no limit to the amount of tires that can be dropped off per person. Residents should be prepared to unload their own tires and provide proof of Lewis County residency.
According to organizers, all parts of the wheel wind up getting recycled including the steel from the rim, the radial belts and the rubber of the tire. The wheels are subsequently shipped to Tire Disposal and Recycling in Portland, where they are chipped into chunks. The various bits of metal and rubber are then separated and the rubber is ground down once more until it reaches the granular size that is used on athletic fields and running tracks. The only cost to the county is to advertise and staff the event, and those expenditures are largely paid for through grants.
Tires will be accepted in the south parking lot of the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The address is 2555 N. National Ave., Chehalis.
