KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Volunteers at Little Blue River are facing an ongoing battle with illegal tire dumping, which poses significant health and environmental risks.
The accumulation of tires along this stretch of road has become a persistent issue, with volunteers like Larry O’Donnell feeling overwhelmed by the constant need for cleanup.
“It’s a big issue,” said a local volunteer involved in the cleanup efforts.
“They are mosquito farms,” O’Donnell noted, highlighting the health hazards posed by the dumped tires.
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Dianna Bryant from the Mid-America Regional Council explained the need for need for recycling solutions.
“To get rid of them, we need use for them.”
Every cleanup effort at Little Blue River seems to only temporarily alleviate the problem, as new tires are dumped regularly.
“Unless you’re sitting out here all night waiting for somebody,” O’Donnell remarked, expressing the frustration of the volunteers.
The tires not only create an eyesore but also pose a fire hazard, as noted by industry experts. This illegal dumping allows tire haulers to avoid the costs associated with proper recycling.
Tires cannot be disposed of in landfills because they rise to the surface, necessitating recycling. However, the cost of recycling often leads to illegal dumping as some try to avoid the additional charges.
Bryant mentioned the potential of using rubber tires in asphalt, a solution in its early stages in Kansas City. However, even fledgling operations are unable to keep up with the volume of tires.
Another potential solution discussed is ‘extended producer responsibility,’ which would require tire manufacturers to collect used tires. Currently, only Connecticut has implemented such a law.
The ongoing issue of tire dumping at Little Blue River highlights the need for effective recycling solutions and legislative action to prevent environmental and health hazards.
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