5,600 Waste Tires Collected in Free Disposal Day Event

Oswego County residents joined Senator Patty Ritchie to “Fight the Bite” Saturday, disposing of more than 5,600 tires at free waste tire disposal events taking place throughout Oswego County.  The total is nearly three times more tires than were collected at similar events last year. 

86 TONS OF TIRE--CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THE MAY 17 COLLECTION EVENTS

NEXT FREE DISPOSAL DAY IS JUNE 14TH

Studies have shown that one waste tire can act as breeding ground for one million mosquitoes, which carry deadly diseases like EEE and West Nile.  Saturday’s free disposal event marks the first of two being hosted by Senator Ritchie and Oswego County.  The second will take place on June 14^th. 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN WAYS TO AVOID MOSQUITOES AND EEE

The free tire disposal events—which allow residents to drop off up to eight waste tires with the $5 fee being waived—are being made possible through $275,000 in the new State Budget that Senator Ritchie helped secure to support efforts to stop the spread of Eastern equine encephalitis, the mosquito-borne illness commonly known as EEE.  Over three years, Senator Ritchie has secured a total of $700,000 in additional state budget funds for EEE prevention.

“Oswego County is a hotbed for diseases like EEE, and I’m thrilled that so many people joined me Saturday and took a step to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquitoes and the dangers that they present,” said Senator Ritchie. 

“Disposing of waste tires is just one way to reduce the risk of contracting mosquito borne illnesses.  We need to remain vigilant as we fight the bite, and I encourage people to visit my website for tips on how to best protect themselves.”

In addition to the free tire disposal events, funding secured by Senator Ritchie will also make possible a number of other initiatives including programs to educate children and families about the dangers of EEE, a low-cost vaccination program for horses, which are particularly susceptible to EEE, funding for a new workgroup tasked with developing vaccines against diseases like EEE and additional mosquito control efforts.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN WAYS TO AVOID MOSQUITOES AND EEE