Residents will have an opportunity to get rid of old tires Saturday.

Volunteers from WSU Waste Wise and WSU Beach Watchers will help people recycle tires this weekend.

The reduced cost tire recycling event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Coupeville transfer station located on Highway 20. Tires can be dropped off behind the recycling center and signs are posted to guide the way.

Waste Wise coordinator Janet Hall said the collection efforts have been successful and fewer tires have been coming in on the recycle day.

“It’s definitely increased every year,” Hall said. The first year more than 10 years ago saw volunteers collect around 5,000. Volunteers last year collected more than 300.

People can recycle their passenger car or light truck tires for the reduced cost of $2.24 each off rim and $4 on rim. Recycling a tire typically costs $7.25.

Tires should be reasonably clean, not full of dirt or Styrofoam. Please call for arrangements if you have a load of over 100 tires. No large truck tires, tractor tires, lawn tractor tires or airplane tires will be accepted.

Hall said WSU Extension, the Island County solid waste department and public health department advocated for the recycling event. Hall said public health was interested in removing old tires because they collect water that can be a breeding ground for mosquito, which carry West Nile virus.

For additional information, call Janet Hall at 360-678-7974, or 360-321-5111 ext. 7974 or email halljn@wsu.edu