LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Funding from the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and CalRecycle, residents are still able to dispose of used tires at no cost.

Residents of Lake County may dispose of up to 20 tires per year through this program at no cost. Tire Amnesty includes passenger or light truck tires, up to R19.5, with and without rims.

The Tire Amnesty program is not for commercial, heavy duty, farm, or heavy equipment tires – or for more than 20 tires per year per person.

With the recent heavy rains and warming temperatures, tires stored outdoors make an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The Tire Amnesty program makes it easy and affordable for residents to clean up around their homes and properly dispose of tires.

A waiver is required before transporting nine up to 20 tires, which is free of charge to obtain.

Tires may be taken to either Southlake Refuse & Recycling, 16025 Davis St. in Clearlake, or Lake County Waste Solutions, 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.

Customers will be asked to show proof of Lake County residency and sign a form noting the number and origin of tires. Commercial tire, auto repair, or salvage businesses can not take advantage of this program.

Funds for the Tire Amnesty program are limited – so residents are encouraged to drop-off waste tires soon.

When funds to subsidize the proper disposal of tires are depleted, the program will end. Please contact the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980 for status and information.

Bigger tires or more than nine tires?

1. A waiver must be obtained from Lake County Environmental Health, 922 Bevins Court in Lakeport, 707-263-1164. There is no cost for the waiver.

2. Pre-approval must be obtained from Lake County Public Services prior to disposal. Please call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

3. Application for a waiver must be made before transporting the tires to a facility as it takes a minimum of a full business day to process the paperwork.

Why is proper tire disposal important?

California is faced with the significant challenge of diverting or safely managing more than 44.4 million reusable and waste tires generated each year.

It is estimated that fewer than 250,000 waste tires remain in stockpiles throughout California. These stockpiles pose a potential threat to public health, safety, and the environment.

While nearly 75 percent of used tires are recycled, the rest still end up in landfills or illegal stockpiles. If not managed properly, scrap tires are a potential threat to both California's environment and public health and safety. Illegally stockpiled tires also pose a fire risk and are attractive habitats for rodents and insects.

Failure to obtain a waiver to transport more than nine tires can result in fines ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation per day and increased administrative penalties from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation per day and is enforced by the California Highway Patrol.

For more information on recycling programs in Lake County, visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.