Fight the Bite: Ritchie Announces Free “Tire Amnesty Day” in Oswego County

Announcement Comes in the Wake of Discovery of EEE, West Nile Virus

In the wake of the discovery of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and the West Nile virus in Oswego County, State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced “Tire Amnesty Day,” a free event that will be held on Saturday, August 24 to help people dispose of waste tires, which often act as breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

The event—which is being funded through a special state grant from Senator Ritchie—will allow Oswego County residents to drop off  a maximum of four tires at five locations throughout the county, with the usual $5 fee for tire-drop off being waived.  Farm tractor tires will also be accepted, but must be cut into four pieces. 

“Tuesday’s discovery of EEE and West Nile virus in Oswego County is another reminder that we still need to be vigilant in our fight against mosquito borne illnesses,” said Senator Ritchie. 

“Waste tires that are left outside and collect water often times become breeding sources for disease-carrying mosquitoes and it’s estimated that a single waste tire can be a breeding ground for more than one million mosquitoes. I’m happy to be able to provide an opportunity for residents to dispose of tires and protect themselves from diseases like EEE and West Nile virus.”

Tires may be dropped off from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Bristol Hill Landfill

3125 NYS Rte. 3

Fulton, NY 13069

(315) 591-9211

Hannibal Transfer Station

1167 Co. Rte. 7

Hannibal, NY 13074

(315) 564-5623

Hastings Transfer Station

1391 US Rte. 11

Hastings, NY 13076

(315) 668-8821

Pulaski Transfer Station

100 Co. Rte. 2A

Pulaski, NY 13142

(315) 298-6062

Oswego Transfer Station

700 East Seneca St.

Oswego, NY 13126

(315) 349-3439

A maximum of four tires may be dropped off.  A $5 fee will apply for each additional tire.  In addition to dropping off tires, electronic waste—such as TVs, computers and small appliances—will also be accepted at no charge. 

This year—for the second year in a row—Senator Ritchie was able to secure special funding in the State Budget for an “Eastern Equine Encephalitis Program,” aimed at paying costs of aerial spraying to control mosquitoes, funding a low-cost horse vaccination program and supporting educational outreach to communities affected by the disease.

Last year, through similar funding, nearly 2,000 horses Upstate New York were protected through a program which provided low-cost vaccines for farmers and horse owners.  In addition, more than 3,000 free larvicide treatments were distributed to private landowners and countless numbers of people were provided with tips to help “fight the bite” through the Senator Ritchie’s educational outreach program.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis, commonly known as EEE, is a rate but serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes. There are typically 5-10 human cases in the United State annually; with people over the age of 50 and under the age of 15 at the greatest risk of serious infection.  EEE is much more common in horses and has resulted in deaths of dozens of horses in our region in recent years.