BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County netted 922 waste tires during its five-day disposal event April 8-12.

Solid waste coordinator Eric Phelps was pleased with the turnout.

“We had a good week,” Phelps said. “We took 922 tires out of our community, which we don’t have to worry about circulating or wonder where they’re going to end up.”

Phelps said the tires would be recycled as crumb rubber, mulch, park benches and other products.

Kentucky’s Waste Tire Trust Fund, the Department for Environmental Protection and Martin County provided funding for the event.

Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty spoke highly of the event, saying, “I feel better every time we have one.”

The judge mentioned that waste tires are a health and environmental hazard.

“They collect water and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests, which increases the risk for vector-borne diseases,” he said. “In the environment, these old tires break down and contaminate the soil with oils and heavy metals. We want to keep our residents safe and healthy. Cleaning up old tires helps us do that.”