The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) collected 1,800 old tires to be recycled during a free collection day this month.
The event, held at Grand Rapids SafeChem, collected 1,800 tires from 400 cars during the two-and-a-half-hour collection on Nov. 12. That was enough tires to fill two semi-trailers and a 40-yard dumpster. The tires will be sent to a facility where they are repurposed into new products, including playground surfacing material and other rubberized equipment.
“This was by far our most successful tire recycling event. We’re thankful to the Kent County community for participating and are happy to know 1,800 old tires from our community will be put to better use after being properly recycled,” said Nic VanderVinne, Resource Recovery and Recycling Manager with DPW. “We encourage all Kent County residents to properly recycle their used tires to help ensure they are safely disposed of.”
Many tires are illegally dumped because they are not accepted by trash pick-up and cannot be disposed of in a landfill unless they are shredded. Illegal dumping can be a fire hazard, and they are attractive places for rodents and insects to live and breed.
Residents can recycle tires year-round at both North Kent and South Kent Waste and Recycling Centers for $4-$6 per tire depending on size. Additional information on upcoming events and disposal fees can be found on the department’s website.
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, Recycling and Education Center, North Kent and South Kent Waste and Recycling Centers.
