After a successful pilot program in 2021, the City of Kalamazoo is partnering with the Kalamazoo Conservation District (KCD) to expand scrap tire collection for residents of the city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County. Through this partnership there will be four opportunities to recycle scrap tires, with each open to city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County residents. This year pre-registration is required for all events and there is a limit of 10 tires per household.
- Thursday June 16, 2022: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the City of Kalamazoo parking lot located at 332 Stockbridge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
- Wednesday June 29, 2022: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Comstock Township Transfer Station located at 6604 East Main St., Comstock, MI 49048
- Thursday July 21, 2022: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Richland Township Office located at 7401 N. 32nd St., Richland, MI 49083
- Tuesday July 26, 2022: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at Swan Park located at 50 East VW Ave., Vicksburg, MI 49097
Tires that are collected will be recycled and used in roads, driveways, trails, and a variety of other products.
“The response that we had during the pilot last year made it clear there is a need for this program,” explained Debra Miller, Code Administration Manager for the City of Kalamazoo. “Through this partnership with KCD we can offer more collections for city residents and also expand the program to include the rest of Kalamazoo County.”
Each of the four collection events are open to all residents of Kalamazoo County. Each household may drop off up to 10 passenger tires (10 tires is also the limit set by the Michigan Department of Transportation for transporting tires). Only passenger tires removed from the rims will be accepted. Proof of Kalamazoo County residence will be required, and the program is open to residents only (no businesses, please).
To help ensure an orderly collection and make sure the program is open to more households, registration is required in advance. Residents can complete a brief online form to register for a particular collection event and let organizers know how many tires they will bring: Sign-Up for Free Kalamazoo County Scrap Tire Recycling.
“The Tire Blitz pilot last year was almost too successful,” continued Miller, “so this year we’re asking that residents just let us know what day they are coming and how many tires they plan to bring so that we can prepare.”
Tires are not accepted through the City’s bulk trash program and are often dumped in the city or left at the street. These tires are unsightly and can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. In 2021, 3,693 tires were collected over the three days of the Tire Blitz pilot program.
Funding for the Scrap Tire Collection Events is provided by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Scrap Tire Grant, the Kalamazoo Conservation District, and the Foundation for Excellence. Partners include the City of Kalamazoo, Richland Township, Comstock Township and Schoolcraft Township.
Event information is also available from the Kalamazoo Conservation District on their website here.