Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
A Sandusky County resident has removed hundreds of discarded tires from his property thanks to the No-Fault Tire Removal Program offered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA).
The initiative, designed to help Ohioans safely and legally dispose of unwanted scrap tires, proved to be a game-changer for Michael Hetrick.
Hetrick inherited a property riddled with scrap tires and was unsure of how to handle the challenges related to environmental concerns and potential pest infestations.
“I didn’t know what to do with them,” Hetrick said. “I was worried about the cost of removal, but getting rid of that many tires felt overwhelming.”
A simple solution
Hetrick sought advice from the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste District and then learned about the Ohio EPA’s No-Fault Tire Removal Program, which assists property owners in legally disposing of scrap tires at no cost, provided they were left behind by previous owners or illegally dumped after the property was acquired. If someone purchases a property with the tires already on it, they are not eligible for the program. The only exception is if the property was inherited through bequest or devise, such as Hetrick's case.
Anne Gerhart, an environmental specialist for the Ohio EPA, said, “This program provides cleanups of 100 or more scrap tires at no cost to the property owner if they were dumped on after acquiring the property or inherited with the tires already there.”
A cleaner, safer property
Tim Hassinger, communications and outreach specialist with the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste District, emphasized the importance of the program in helping residents tackle illegal dumping. "Many property owners feel stuck when they inherit or acquire land with illegally dumped tires," Hassinger said. “This program takes the financial burden off their shoulders and ensures these tires are disposed of properly, improving both the environment and the community."
With the assistance of local authorities and a state-approved waste hauler, the tires were swiftly removed, leaving the property cleaner and safer. “This program was a great relief for me,” Hetrick said. “The team was very professional and helped along the way.”
The remediation of the 300-500 some tires on Hetrick’s property cost an estimated $10,000, yet thanks to the No-Fault Tire Removal Program, he didn’t have to pay anything.
Encouraging community action
In alone, more than 168,000 scrap tires were properly managed through 185 projects similar to Hetrick’s, thanks to the No-Fault Tire Removal Program. The initiative has been a vital part of the Ohio EPA’s efforts since 1993, operating under the Ohio Scrap Tire Remediation Program to help clean up illegally dumped or inherited scrap tires across the state.
The Ohio EPA and the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste District encourage residents dealing with abandoned or unwanted tires to take advantage of the initiative. Additionally, local governments can also benefit from the program, collecting tires from public properties and storing them at a designated location for free removal.
Scrap tires pose serious environmental risks if left unattended, including soil contamination, increased fire hazards and the creation of mosquito breeding grounds.
For more information on the No-Fault Tire Removal Program and how to apply, visit the Ohio EPA’s website, epa.ohio.gov.
For residents of Ottawa, Sandusky, and Seneca counties who have their own tires to dispose of, registration is currently open for the residential tire collection.
Register by visiting RecycleOSS.org or calling 419-334-7222.
