Louisiana project aims to end illegal tyre dumping
Shreveport Louisiana Moves on Tyre Dumping
In an effort to stop illegal dumping, Shreveport’s Department of Property Standards is partnering with Shreveport Green to establish a Waste Tire Cleanup Pilot Program.
“We want to send a clear message that there are consequences for illegal dumping in our community,” said Mayor Adrian Perkins.
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will provide $42,000 to start the project.
“The mission of the programme is to put the spotlight on illegal dumping, also known as “midnight” dumping, a term used to describe disposing of waste tyres in unauthorised areas,” said Mortimer Harris, deputy director of Property Standards.
A team will be developed to conduct community outreach and distribute a survey that will be used to create educational materials for residents and tyre shops in Shreveport. Businesses will be given information cards that outline proper tyre disposal, city ordinances and policies relating to proper tyre disposal. The card will also include facts on the dangers illegal tyre dumping can cause to the environment and people.
“Tires are good for vehicles, but they are terrible when dumped in neighbourhoods,” said Casaundra Calloway, Shreveport Green’s Neighborhood & Education programme director. “Over time, dumped tyres can leak toxic chemicals and metals into the ground, waterways and the air. Rainwater collected inside the tyres promotes disease-carrying mosquitos and residents should not have to look at ugly piles of tyres on vacant properties.”
Data will be compiled based on citizen complaints to determine the areas to focus the department’s tyre collection efforts. Motion cameras also will be purchased to monitor the tyre dumpsites.
“This is just to put a spotlight on the problem,” Harris said of the program. “We have got to educate the citizens to help end the problem. Most of the illegal dumping is coming from mom-and-pop shops that have paid someone to haul tyres off and then they are illegally dumped.”
Harris said those caught dumping illegally will face unspecified criminal consequences.
