BALTIMORE—The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved $1.5 million in funding for the state's scrap tire collection efforts, with an emphasis on expanding collection of farm tires.
The Maryland Department of the Environment asked for the money, which the board granted Oct. 16. The Maryland DPE will use the money to expand its Scrap Tire Citizen and Agricultural Drop-Off Day projects, in which Maryland residents can dispose of scrap tires free.
"The program is seeking to increase the collection of scrap farm tires, which because of their size create challenges in collection and handling," the DPE said in a news release.
Some Maryland counties did not accept agricultural tires in the past, but with the new funding all 20 counties participating in the drop-off must now accept farm tires of any size or type, the DPE said.
The $1.5 million is in addition to $500,000 in funds the board granted for scrap tire cleanup in May, the DPE said.
Since its inception, Maryland's scrap tire program has recovered more than 10 million tires from illegal stockpiles alone, according to the DPE. The state generated some 5.8 million scrap tires in the fiscal year beginning in July 2011, it said.