ADEM offering $150,000 to counties to clean up roadside tires

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is offering $150,000 over three years to counties to clean up roadside tires. 

The offer is part of ADEM's Scrap Tire Right of Way Program. One dollar from the sale of each tire in Alabama goes into the Scrap Tire Fund administered by ADEM to clean up illegally discarded tires and promote recycling.

“Old, discarded tires strewn across the landscape are a problem in virtually every county, small or large, rural or urban,” ADEM Director Lance LeFleur said. “These tires are not only eyesores, they are also environmental and health hazards, including breeding grounds for mosquitoes, rodents and other pests. This funding enables counties to address these problems when they might not otherwise could afford the cost in manpower and equipment to do so.”

Counties that want to take part in the program will have to sign an agreement with ADEM and will be reimbursed for collecting and disposing tires. It is reportedly similar to another program by ADEM that reimburses counties for the costs of cleaning up unauthorized garbage dumps.

“With these two programs, we are working directly with our local governments to clean up areas across the state,” LeFleur said. “Together with our Help Keep Our Waters Clean program, which combats litter in our watersheds, we believe we are making a positive impact. But certainly, there is a lot more work to do. As a department, we are committed to continuing to look for creative ways to safeguard the state’s natural resources and its natural beauty.”

More information about the Scrap Tire Program can be found here.