Waste Tire Cleanup Grant Awarded to Sullivan County

NASHVILLE –Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke today announced a $2,500 Waste Tire Cleanup Grant for Sullivan County. This grant will fund the cleanup of tires dumped on Paperville Road in Bristol, Tenn.

“This Waste Tire Cleanup Grant will help Sullivan County clean up used tires that have created a blight on Tennessee’s scenic landscape,” Fyke said. “I’m pleased the state can provide assistance to the people of Sullivan County to deal with this unsightly and potentially hazardous illegal dump.”

The dump consists of approximately 1,000 tires mixed with other debris. The Waste Tire Cleanup Grant will pay to help Sullivan County remove the tires from the site and dispose of them properly.

Used tire dumps can pose significant health and environmental hazards. Whole tires provide habitats for rodents and mosquitoes, making them breeding grounds for disease. When burned, tires emit oxygen that constantly feeds the fire and noxious smoke that pollutes the air. Burning tires also release oils and soot that can contaminate both surface and ground water.

Waste Tire Cleanup Grants are administered by Environment and Conservation through the Solid Waste Management Fund. For more information, please visit the department’s Web site at: http://www.tn.gov/environment/swm/grants/wtcgrant.shtml.