ATLANTA (July 8, 2014) | Today, Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) and State Rep. Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) held a press conference at the Capitol to educate Georgians on updated regulations of Georgia’s scrap tire law. Sen. Orrock and Rep. Gardner were joined by Atlanta City Council members Joyce Sheperd and Felicia Moore, as well as other state policy makers.
“Discarded scrap tires create blight in Atlanta and communities across Georgia,” said Sen. Orrock. “State laws have been strengthened to better track the storage, hauling, and disposing of used tires. Clarified regulations will help the hard working men and women in this industry comply with the law. And we are very committed to assist cities and counties to curb illegal scrap tire dumps that threaten neighborhoods and property values.”
House Bill 226 was originally introduced in the Georgia House by State Rep. Randy Nix (R — LaGrange) and grew out of local legislation created by Councilmember Sheperd to combat illegal tire dumping in Atlanta. HB 226 was passed by the 2013 Georgia General Assembly during in 2013 session and became state law April 30, 2013. New regulations clarify the use and placement of carrier and storage decals. The deadline for existing carriers to obtain this decal is August 1, 2014. A summary of the new carrier and storage requirements are available on the Georgia Environmental Protection Division website.
“The legislation was needed because an estimated 10 million vehicle tires are discarded in Georgia every year,” said Atlanta City Councilmember Joyce Sheperd. “My colleagues and I are confronted with illegal dump sites weekly. Literally thousands of tires are collected in the city along in vacant lots, abandoned subdivisions and along our rivers and streams. It’s not just a problem impacting Atlanta. It’s a pervasive problem across our state. I commend our state house and senate representatives for providing us with what can be an effective statewide tool to regulate the transport and storage of scrap tires, in hopes of further cracking down on illegal tire dumpers.”
To apply for the decal, a potential carrier must submit the Scrap Tire Carrier Permit Application to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Necessary forms, technical guidance and the list of approved Processors, Sorters, Landfills and Carriers is available at epd.dnr.state.ga.us.
For additional information, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division is hosting a stakeholder meeting to seek input on the new regulations Thursday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m. at their Tradeport office.
For Immediate Release:
July 8, 2014
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Brett Johnson, Broadcast Specialist
Brett.Johnson@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028