FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2005

RE: Increase in tire disposal fees

The tire disposal/recycling fee at the Madison County Landfill will increase from $80 to $85 and a new category of tire disposal has been added to fee schedule The Madison County Board of Supervisors, today, passed a resolution to increase the disposal/recycling fee for passenger vehicles and trucks from $80 to $85. Also, oversized or off the road tires (loader, tractor tires) will now be charged at $350 a ton. James A. Zecca, director of the Dept. of Solid Waste and Sanitation, explained that disposal of scrap tires has become a major problem for tire retailers and manufacturers, auto salvage yards, municipalities and even homeowners. According to the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) tires cannot be landfilled. Buried tires, over time, will “float” to the surface of landfills and penetrate the earthen cap destroying the integrity of the capping system. Tires on the surface are equally undesirable. They provide ideal breeding grounds for disease carrying insects and vermin. Further, discarded whole tires are considered among the greatest fire hazards at any landfill or tire storage site. The County contracts with Casings Inc. of Catskill, NY for its tire disposal/recycling needs. Anyone with questions concerning tire disposal/recycling should call the Solid Waste Hot Line at 800-721-2208.