Chickamauga, GA – The overwhelming success of last fall’s tire amnesty day event prompted county officials to ask the state to green light a sequel. On May 19th, the Retire Your Tires Amnesty Day will return to the Walker County Landfill, 5120 N Marble Top Road, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Car and light truck tires with wheel sizes 20 inches or less will be accepted, as well as ATV (all-terrain vehicle) tires. All tires must be dismounted from any wheels and free of debris. Tires with rims and large truck, tractor or heavy equipment tires will not be accepted.

This event is only for the public, not for commercial businesses. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or current utility bill, will be required to dispose of tires for free during the amnesty event. Those participating will also be required to unload their own tires.

Properly disposing of scrap tires helps eliminate mosquito breeding sites. The wet spring has provided mosquitoes with plenty of locations to lay their eggs. A female mosquito only needs an inch of standing water to lay a batch of over 100 eggs. More mosquitoes this summer could hasten the spread of West Nile Virus. Commissioner Shannon Whitfield hopes by removing thousands of old tires from the community we will cut down on the mosquito population.

Last fall, the community cleaned up 5,543 tires. Walker County aims to collect a similar number this spring. Tires will be sent to an approved recycling center and turned into industrial fuel or rubber mulch for landscaping and playground applications.