News & Events
Tire cleanup nets 35,695
By SUMMER MINGER,Staff writer
(originally appeared in the Steubenville Herald Star)
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Enough tires for nearly 9,000 cars, or
a total of 35,695, were hauled away with no cost to area
residents during the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste
Authority’s spring cleanup.
The cleanup was held at various sites throughout the two
counties and area residents were encouraged to bring tires
to designated sites for disposal, according to Patrick
Lanaghan, solid waste authority executive director.
“Belmont (County) does this every year and I believe
it was the first time its been done in Jefferson County,” Lanaghan
said. “Most likely it will be a yearly event.”
Lanaghan said 15,957 passenger car tires, 1,525 light truck
tires and 655 tractor trailer tires were collected in Jefferson
County, while 16,309 passenger tires, 724 light truck tires
and 255 tractor trailer tires were gathered in Belmont
County.
A total of 270 unspecified tires also were collected from
22 sites in the two counties, according to Lanaghan.
The cost to the solid waste authority was $72,674, which
included the cost of tire and trash disposal and transportation
costs. The tires were taken to Liberty Tire Disposal in
Minerva, a subsidiary of Liberty Waste Management, which
also owns the Apex Landfill in Amsterdam, said Lanaghan.
He added the solid waste authority was in discussions with
Liberty Tire Disposal about a potential discount during
next year’s cleanup.
“This gives people the chance to dispose of these
tires without charge and it cuts down on the illegal tire
dump sites in the district,” said Lanaghan.
He added tire dump sites were a problem within the two
counties and were not only an eyesore, but a health hazard
because the abandoned tires are breeding grounds for mosquitos,
which carry a variety of diseases.
“The tire collection was a good example of all the
agencies coming together to serve all the people,” said
John Goosman, Wells Township trustee. “With the recent
rise in temperatures, properly disposing of those tires
may have prevented the spread of the West Nile virus.”
The project was the coordinated effort of several agencies,
including the solid waste authority, which provided funding
for the project; Belmont and Jefferson County governments,
which provided labor; and recycling and litter prevention
programs in both counties, which provided organization
and coordination.
“The success of the tire collection can be contributed
to the support of Patrick Lanaghan, executive director
of the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority;
(Jefferson County) Sheriff Fred Abdalla, who provided manpower
at each site; and the diligent efforts of the (Jefferson
County Recycling and Litter Prevention) staff,” said
Diane Julio, Jefferson County Recycling and Litter Prevention
director. “Also, without the funding provided by
the solid waste authority, these worthwhile activities
would not be possible.”
The solid waste authority receives funding through tipping
fees at the Apex Landfill, and Lanaghan noted the cleanup
was a benefit provided to residents through those funds.
“We’re pleased to have been part of the tire
cleanup in both counties,” said Mark Thomas, solid
waste authority board chair. “It’s an issue
that, unfortunately, is a big one in both counties.”
“The cleanup offered an opportunity to get rid of
tires that otherwise would have been thrown over a hill
or stored in a backyard,” said Samantha Carroll,
Belmont County Recycling and Litter Prevention director. “In
the past several years, we have not seen as many (illegal
dumping sites). This shows several government agencies
working together for a good cause.”
Lanaghan said that in addition to the cleanup, the solid
waste authority will work with law enforcement agencies
in both counties to enforce dumping and littering laws.
“People in this area are sick and tired of seeing
it, traveling along the roadway and seeing trash and tires
thrown along side the road,” said Lanaghan.
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