DEP cites illegal tire dump in Pennsylvania county

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), partnering with the municipality of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, has cited Monster and Mom and Bobo’s Car Wash LLC for illegally storing an estimated 50,000 scrap tires.

Penn Hills Police discovered the tire dump, which is adjacent to a day care center. The operators of the tire dump solicited the scrap tires from throughout the area.

Penn Hills Police filed summary criminal charges against the owners of Monster and Mom in the Penn Hills District Justice’s Office. After a hearing, the district justice found Monster and Mom guilty and imposed a fine.

In addition to the Penn Hills Police court action, the DEP issued an order requiring the immediate cleanup of the site and the proper recycling or disposal of the tires. An investigation into other incidents of illegal tire dumping at the site continues.

Pennsylvania regulations require an operator of a waste aggregation and storage facility to first obtain a permit from the DEP. A review of DEP records showed that Monster and Mom does not have a permit to store, collect, process or dispose of waste. Monster and Mom has a Waste Tire Hauler Authorization, which authorizes only the transportation of end-of-live tires from a source to a permitted recycling or disposal facility.

Recently, local environmental officials have noted an increase in the number of illegal tire dumps in Pittsburgh and the southwest region, according to the DEP. These tire dumps are potential fire hazards, scar the land and provide a ready breeding ground for mosquitos during the spring and summer months, the DEP adds.

Sources of end-of-life tires, such as gas stations and tire retailers, have the responsibility of consigning their tires to permitted haulers and disposal facilities. These generators also must keep records documenting the proper handling of all scrap tires.

DEP regulations require that all tires should be sent for recycling or energy recovery. Details of the agency’s waste tire program can be found here.