VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Most people know vehicle tires must be changed every so often, but did you know those old tires, if left lying around, can bring mosquitoes to the area?
For over two decades now, Vigo County has organized a tire amnesty. A free program allowing residents to drop off old tires for proper recycling.
County Commissioner Mark Clinkenbeard said the initiative serves two purposes.
“One is recycling, they don’t end up in the landfill and that kind of thing”, Clinkenbeard said. “The other big issue is mosquitoes. This time of year, with water standing around, any kind of water will breed mosquitoes.”
The Vigo County Health Department’s Public Health Educator, Shelby Jackson, said old tires left around can create a mosquito’s dream environment.
“Tires are the prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes”, Jackson said. “That little, tiny area at the bottom of the tire can hold just the smallest amount of water, which is perfect for mosquitoes to lay eggs.”
The tires can be brought to the Vector Control Division of the Vigo County Health Department.
They are collected into semi-trucks and then shipped off for recycling.
“They are not going to landfills, they actually get recycled”, Jackson said. “They are cut up into tiny, little chunks and go out into the community and used for things like track and field turfs that people run on.”
Tires can be dropped off at Vector Control from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from April 1st to May 2nd.
That building is located at 1241 Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute.
The Health Department asks that residents call ahead and let them know they are bringing tires.
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