Used tires are polluting Kentucky waterways, leaching toxic chemicals and rubber pollution into wildlife habitat and drinking water sources.
In 2024, advocates pulled about 200 tires out of a 4-mile stretch of the Red River near Clay City.
Nick Hart, water policy director for the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, said such a level of tire trash is not unusual and the problem only seems to be worsening.
"We've worked with some partners who remove tires out of the same stretch of river every single year, and we work with other partners who've removed tens of thousands of tires out of one stretch of river or one river over numerous years," Hart pointed out.
A new online dashboard developed by the alliance makes it easier for Kentuckians to report tires dumped in or near local waterways using a smartphone. Hart added the dashboard creates a visual map of where tires have been reported, which advocates can use to locate and remove them.
Hart pointed out it was a common business practice for decades to pose as a tire recycler and stockpile used tires.
"In, say, semi-truck containers, wait for large flood events, and then go and dump the entire tractor-trailer into a river," Hart recounted.
Hart stressed tires are made up of benzene, mercury, PFAS and a host of other chemicals, causing habitat damage and harm aquatic life. Tires also impede drainage and flow, especially in culverts during flooding events.
"Beyond that, pollution in your waterway, whether it be chemical or physical or a tire, is going to lower property values across the state, and it's going to degrade our experience with those natural resources when we go out to enjoy them," Hart asserted.
Used tires dropped off at special recycling facilities are shredded and broken down and are then used in the construction of playground and athletic surfaces, asphalt, landscaping materials and more.