Did you know that Californians discard an average of one old tire for every man, woman and child each year? This amounts to more than 36 million tires. Rather than discard them out in our beautiful desert, residents of Apple Valley can turn in their tires free of charge during Tire Amnesty Day, Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lion’s Park in Apple Valley.

Passenger car and light truck tires without rims are accepted and proof of address must be provided. The event is open to all residents within the Town of Apple Valley.

The great news is that, in Apple Valley, these tires are hauled by Burrtec to the Mitsubishi Cement Plant where they are used as fuel for the cement kiln. Whole tires are injected one at a time into the 2,700-degree kiln. The rubber quickly burns off, completely and cleanly, providing heat for the process and decreasing the use of low-sulfur coal that is used as the primary fuel. The Mitsubishi Cement Plant keeps approximately 2 million tires per year out of the landfill.

Past Tire Amnesty Days have had a significant impact on decreasing the illegal dumping of tires, which often results in health and environmental hazards. Illegal dumps attract further discards, littering the landscape and polluting the environment. Whole tires hold water, providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes. They also present a fire hazard that releases noxious smoke when burned and oil and soot runoff can contaminate both surface and ground water.

The event is sponsored by the Town of Apple Valley and Burrtec Waste.

Lion’s Park is on South Outer Highway 18, between Flathead and Dale Evans Parkway. No rims will be accepted and no commercial dealers will be allowed.

For more information, please visit www.AVCode.org or call Apple Valley Code Enforcement at (760) 240-7560.