California offers New Program to battle Illegal Tire Dumping

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) in Sacramento is implementing an innovative program to help cities and counties in California to reduce illegal tire dumping. Californians generate about 33 million waste tires each year. If stacked end to end these tires would reach halfway around the world. A tire takes about 80 years to deteriorate in a landfill so it is really important that tire disposal is handled properly.

The CIWMB has $6,000,000 available to local enforcement agencies through a grant program to provide funds to assist with the enforcement and surveillance of illegal dumping areas. Through this grant program the CIWMB in conjunction with the Air Resources Board, provides surveillance equipment (a FlashCAM-880 or other type of equipment) for loan and will assist with the purchase of camera systems. The CIWMB provides technical support to a community to help reduce illegal tire dumping. The fees that consumers pay to assure the old tire is disposed of legally fund this program. For more information about this program go to www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Tires