Tulsa County Residents Recycle Tires For Free

Tulsa-area residents took advantage of a free tire recycling event Saturday. The Metropolitan Environmental Trust and Tulsa Community College hosted Tireless Tulsa at the TCC North East Campus, 3727 East Apache Street.

They collected more than 2,000 tires.

Residents of Bixby, Broken Arrow, Coweta, Claremore, Collinsville, Glenpool, Jenks, Tulsa County, Owasso, Sand Springs and Tulsa brought their tires to this event to be recycled.

The Met said recycling events like this help people get their tires off their front yards and are good for the environment - and a healthy community. Tires came in by the ruck load Saturday morning.

"They're hard to get rid of," said Tulsa resident George Skof. "I think that's why people dump them on the side of the road here and there. I'm glad they have this."

People are happy to finally see their old and worn out tires going someplace else. The tire-only recycling event filled several tractor trailers, and trucks waited in a long line to recycle.

Learn More About The Metropolitan Environmental Trust

"The opportunity to recycle residential tires at no cost is a win/win for our community and its citizens. When tires are left out, they become a significant health hazard as they are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.  And, according to health officials, August is slated to be the worst month for mosquitoes this year." says Meg Sutherland, Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator for The Met.

RTR Environmental will take the used tires and separate the metal from the rubber. The recycled tires will be turned into playground mulch, asphalt and shoes. 

Sutherland said used tires left in your yard can collect rainwater and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. She said the MET is encouraged by Saturday's turnout and hopes to have another "Tireless Tulsa" event in less than a year. 

The next public event will be held at the Tulsa Fairgrounds in November where household chemicals can be dropped off. Plus there are recycling centers all across the Tulsa metro.