Illinois EPA Director Alec Messina announced the completion of a forced waste tire removal in Rockford.
More than 4,600 tons of waste tires were removed from S.T.A.R. Used Tire Disposal, a former commercial used tire processing facility.
The facility operated in violation of the Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations for more than a decade. S.T.A.R. did not respond to a removal notice from the Illinois EPA, prompting the forced removal.
This is the most expensive waste tire removal in the state’s history, costing more than $1.8 million. The project began on June 11 and was completed on August 3.
Messina says stockpiles of used tires like those at the S.T.A.R. site represent an environmental threat and public health hazard. Tire stockpiles can harbor mosquitos and other disease carrying pests, and are a fire hazard.
The used tires were taken to Tri-State Disposal in Riverdale, where they will be recycled.