SOUTH HARRISON TWP. – Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger announced that March 2015 has been designated as “Tire Amnesty Month.”

Gloucester County will accept used tires from county residents and municipalities at the Solid Waste Complex in South Harrison March 2 through March 31, and during a special Saturday drop-off on March 21.   The Program will conclude on Tuesday, March 31.

“It might not seem like spring and summer are on their way because of the cold, but by removing old tires now, we can reduce the opportunity for mosquito breeding in April,” said Damminger.

“The county has successfully removed 206,644 tires from our waste stream since we began this program in 2001. Tires are not only an eyesore; they are a primary breeding ground for mosquitoes which can carry West Nile Virus,” he said.

March is the only time tires are accepted at the County Solid Waste Complex during the year. The collection allows for the tires to be shredded in April, before the mosquito breeding season.  The collected tires are ground to chips that are used for construction projects within the facility.

County residents can dispose of up to 25-passenger car and passenger pick-up tires only at no cost.  The disposal site is at the Gloucester County Solid Waste Complex, 493 Monroeville Rd. (Route 694), South Harrison Township, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Saturday, March 21 event will be held rain-or-shine and will run from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

This program is for Gloucester County residents only.  No commercial businesses will be accepted.  Only passenger car or passenger pick up tires will be accepted this year.  The tire type and limit of 25 will be strictly enforced.

County residents with more than 25 car tires must contact the GCIA/Office of Recycling at 856-478-6045 (ext. 14) to schedule a specific inspection and appointment in order to participate in the program. A maximum of 50 tires will be accepted per residence. Tires may be on or off the rims, but they MUST be separated by type.  They will be going into different piles. Mixed loads will not be accepted.

No tractor trailer/oversized/heavy equipment tires will be accepted.  A list of certified tire disposal facilities will be available for anyone that may need a service for larger tires.

For more information on the 2015 Gloucester County Tire Amnesty Program please contact GCIA/Office of Recycling at 856-478-6045.