The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced Wednesday that it has awarded $1.1 million in grants to fund 55 community scrap tire drop-off events and other tire cleanups across the state, with Huron, St. Clair and Tuscola counties benefiting from the grants.
Community events provide affordable, convenient tire recycling opportunities to residents, including the creation of year-round collections sites and roadside pickups. In addition to the community events, nine new grant projects and one grant amendment will fund the removal of old scrap tire piles at private properties.
Huron County organizations and agencies received a total of $27,000 in grant funding, with the Huron Conservation District receiving most of it with a $12,000 grant. Meanwhile, St. Clair County received $42,000 in funding, with half of that funding going to China Charter and Clay townships. Tuscola County also received $42,000 in funding, with $30,000 of that designated for use by Tuscola County Recycling.
Improperly dumped scrap tires pose a fire hazard and create mosquito breeding grounds. Recycled scrap tires can be used in asphalt to pave roads, as mulch in gardens and playgrounds, and in manufacturing processes.
