The July rains brought home the reality that trash and debris thrown into streams and ravines in the county came mean homes and belongings washed away.

That is one of the reasons that the Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District is sponsoring a tire amnesty program at the end of August.

“Too many people are dumping tires out on county roads, hillsides and streams,” Dan Palmer, local solid waste management coordinator, said. “There has to be a way of disposing of them.”

With a $20,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the district will offer three dates and locations for county residents to bring in up to 10 tires to be disposed of at no cost.

Participants must show proof of residency with an Ohio driver’s license and tires must be off the rim. Businesses may not participate in the program.

The Lawrence-Scioto district was among 28 agencies in the state to receive the tire amnesty grant. A total of $406,189 was given out by the DNR with 12 solid waste management districts and eight county health departments in the state among those getting the funding.

Tires collected will be sold to Dalton Tire Recycling in Ashland, Ky., where they will be turned into a variety of household and gardening uses from mulch to playground covering.

“I sent out three bids and Dalton Tire received the bid,” Palmer said. “He is licensed and approved by the Ohio EPA.”

Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and let those working unload the tires.

“You don’t have to vacate your vehicle,” Palmer said. “If you are in the eastern end and miss that date, you can come to the other two sites. I hope people take advantage of this. I don’t know when I can do this again. We are lucky statewide to get this.”

Tire Amnesty Program Dates:

Monday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds entrance off County Road 411, Proctorville.

Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Burlington-Fayette Fire Department, 7681 County Road, Burlington.

Friday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Ironton Industrial Park, Commerce Drive, Ironton.