SMETHPORT — PA CleanWays of McKean County, an affiliate of Keep PA Beautiful, is sponsoring a tire collection day from 8 a.m. to noon July 19 at the Smethport Borough sheds on U.S. Route 6 in Smethport.
Organizers said this will be the only tire recycling event held in McKean County this year.
McKean County residents can dispose of car or light duty truck tires for $1 per tire. In addition, residents can dispose of tractor-trailer-type truck tires or race car tires at the event for $2.25 per tire. The tires can have the rims on or off. Tires are to be brought to the Smethport Borough sheds on July 19 only.
Participants must pre-register and pre-pay at the McKean Extension Office in Smethport at 814-877-5613. The project is paid for by a grant secured by PA CleanWays from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“We have room for 2,400 car or light duty truck tires and a 1,000 truck tires,” said Jim Clark, Extension educator. “If you are not on the list you will be turned away, so people need to be sure and call. The collection will be held on a first registered, first served, basis. This is a one day event only.”
Organizers said the tires are being recycled by Mahantango Enterprises. Additional volunteers are still needed and encouraged to call the McKean County Extension Office to receive directions and register to help.
The Chapter has found that tires are a major problem as they work to clean up illegal dumps in the county. Tires are also the number one breeding site of mosquitoes, which can be a possible health problem, if they carry West Nile Virus.
