Ill. EPA removes 60 tons of tires from Will County

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois officials say they removed more than 60 tons of waste tires from Will County earlier this month.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency worked with the Will County Land Use Department and DisposALL Waste Services.

The work Sept. 6 was part of the Illinois EPA's mission to assist local governments in providing a healthy environment as the state Constitution and state law dictate.

Officials say dumped tires are an eyesore, can contaminate the air, land and water and provide habitat for disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes.

Illinois residents produce more than 14 million used tires — more than one per person — each year.

The EPA's used tire program began in 1990. It's funded by a $2.50-per-fire fee paid when a consumer buys a tire.