Farmers recycle 1,300 tires
Published 10:55 am Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Work-release inmates William Laxley, from left, Benjamin King and Damian Jenkins help unload tires during Tire Amnesty Day at Southampton County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. DON BRIDGERS/TIDEWATER NEWS
COURTLAND—Area farmers took more than 1,300 tires to the Southampton County Fairgrounds on Tuesday for recycling.
Sponsored annually by the Chowan Basin Soil and Water Conservation District, Tire Amnesty Day is only for farmers, who can get rid of up to 40 car tires, 40 grain-trailer tires and four rear tractor tires.
Thirty-two farmers paid the $75 to pre-register and got their money back after bringing their tires to the fairgrounds, said Stacey Bradshaw, district manager for the agency in Emporia, which serves Southampton, Sussex and Greensville counties.
Farmers between 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. planned to get rid of 700 car tires, 533 grain-trailer tires and 91 tractor tires, Bradshaw said.
Southampton County traditionally has 25 to 35 farmers participate in the program. Inmates with the Virginia Department of Corrections help unload tires.
The tires are taken to a company in North Carolina, which recycles them for septic system fill, mulch, asphalt and landfill cover.
Another recycling day will be held Tuesday, March 13, in Greensville County. The deadline to register was Feb. 24.
