BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County residents can dispose of unwanted tires free of charge during a three-day waste tire collection event.
The Martin County Waste Tire Collection Event will take place March 26–28 at the back lot of the old transfer station next to Frank Horn Field, 1014 West Main Street in Inez.
Collection hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Martin County Solid Waste Coordinator Eric Phelps said the event is to help residents properly dispose of tires that often accumulate on properties or end up in illegal dumps or waterways.
“This program gives residents a safe, convenient way to dispose of old tires that may be sitting around,” Phelps said. “Waste tires can become a problem when they are dumped illegally or left outside. They collect water and create mosquito breeding areas. Events like this help keep our county cleaner and safer.”
Tires accepted during the event include passenger vehicle, truck, tractor, farm implement, and smaller tires such as bicycle, motorcycle, go-kart, and ATV tires.
Tires may be on or off the rim.
The county cannot accept certain types of tires. Those include foam-filled, calcium-filled, off-road construction or rubber tracks, and any tire with a bead greater than 1¾ inches.
Officials also noted that tire retailers and salvage yards are not eligible to participate in the program.
Phelps encourages residents to take advantage of the free disposal opportunity.
“There is no cost for residents,” he said. “It is a simple way to clean up your property while helping the county reduce illegal dumping and environmental hazards.”
The Kentucky Division of Waste Management (DWM) partners with fiscal courts to offer this event every three years for each county in the state. The DWM provides the trailers for tire collection and then processes the tires into tire-derived fuel (TDF), crumb rubber for playground/sport surfaces and rubberized asphalt.
In 2023, Martin County collected around 15,000 waste tires.
Kentucky also provides an annual $4,000 direct grant to each county for waste tire disposal, managed by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. These funds support year-round, free drop-off events and special collection days. Funding for the program comes from the state’s $2 tire disposal fee imposed on each new tire sold at retail.
Residents seeking additional information about the event may contact Phelps at (606) 298-2800.