City hosts waste tire clean-up Friday, Dec. 17

Councilwoman Cindy Circo, 5th District at-Large, with the Truman Road Corridor Association and the City of Kansas City, Mo., Regulated Industries Division of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department, is pleased to announce a community waste tire clean-up event and press conference on Friday, Dec. 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Roberts Road and Cambridge Avenue (just north of Independence Avenue and west of I-435).

This initiative results from voter-approved tire dealer registration that will fund City efforts to dramatically decrease illegal waste tire dumping. Waste tires collected in this endeavor will be transported to a recycling center by a licensed waste tire hauler paid by a state grant through the Department of Natural Resources. Manpower to collect and remove the tires will be provided by members of the Truman Road Corridor Association and those in need of community service time to satisfy probationary requirements.

Waste tires illegally dumped in Kansas City not only create a health risk for residents but also result in a blighting influence that adversely impacts a community’s quality of life.

“This aggressive plan developed over the past 18 months is targeting the problem,” Councilwoman Circo said. “We believe Kansas City is the first city to develop a plan that partners the community, law enforcement and the City to effectively reduce the numbers of waste tires being illegally dumped throughout the community.”

Community, civic and non-profit groups are encouraged to organize their own waste tire clean-up. Regulated Industries will assist with the state grant application and will coordinate a waste tire hauler to remove the collected tires. Councilwoman Circo has established a fund to front the initial outlay of funds needed for a clean-up that is replenished once the state grant funds are received by the non-profit applicant.

Future City efforts to curb illegal dumping include the required registration of all new and used tire dealers and waste tire haulers within the City and the increased prosecution of those who have illegally dumped waste tires in Kansas City.

For media inquiries or more information, please contact Gina Boucher, aide to Councilwoman Circo, at 816-513-1633.