EARTH DAY TIRE AMNESTY PROGRAM ‘COMPLETE SUCCESS;’ NEXT PROJECT INCLUDES DUMPSTERS AT TWO FLORIDA KE

Monroe County Solid Waste Department's Earth Day tire amnesty events were a tremendous success, according to Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel. "We couldn't be prouder of its positive impact on our environment," she said. "With the support of the local media, the hard work of the transfer station staff, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, and FP Tire Disposal, we collected a staggering 5,740pounds of tires."

This equates to about 240 tires that are now out of the Florida Keys environment on their way to becoming rubber mesh granules for playgrounds, among other things. This recycling process is a significant step in combating the environmental issue of tire waste, which leads to habitat destruction, pollution, and increased mosquito breeding. The project was grant-funded, and future tire amnesty programs will be scheduled if more funding becomes available.

Another impactful environmental initiative is Monroe County Solid Waste's collaboration with the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection to install dumpsters at the Spanish Harbor and Little Duck Key boat ramps. This pioneering project aims to be complete for the upcoming busy summer season.

"We are counting on the cooperation of boat ramp users to dispose of materials in the dumpsters responsibly," said Tuschel. "This will be a vital effort to combat marine debris."