The Solid Waste Management Department (SWD) spends a significant amount of money each year to collect and properly dispose of illegally dumped scrap tires. To mitigate against this cost and aid in abating the health and safety risks posed by scrap tire piles, SWD engaged in a robust review of the scrap tire industry within the City of Houston.
Since June 2011 SWD has held multiple meetings with stakeholder groups, provided written communication to all known tire businesses within the City, and also surveyed in person the scrap tire businesses.
The result of this review was to identify the potential regulated community of scrap tire facilities and scrap tire transporters, understand their current business practices and develop with them a program that will benefit all parties by reducing the incidences of illegally dumped tires within Houston.
The purpose of this proposed city ordinance is to establish regulations and procedures for the appropriate storage, accurate record keeping, safe transportation and proper disposal of tires. The proposed ordinance covers five basic requirements for tire facilities and tire transporters: storage, transportation, registration and permit, record keeping, and permit revocation process.
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Harry J. Hayes, Director Solid Waste Management Department