Community Tire Collection Program:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Independence Conservancy?
  We are a 501c3 nonprofit environmental organization based in Industry, PA. We were established in 1999 as the Independence Marsh Foundation, and changed our name in 2007 to better reflect our mission as a land preservation organization. We restore and protect lands and waters in the Raccoon Creek Watershed and vicinity. Our tire shear is a key tool in our watershed cleanup efforts, and has been used to process over 35,000 tires at many events throughout Beaver, Allegheny and Washington Counties.

A close-up of the shear knife in action. A thin strip of rubber falls to the ground and is collected under the machine.

• How does the tire shear work?
  Does it shred the tires? No, it is a SHEAR, not a shredder. It works like a giant pair of scissors. We cut each tire into four pieces. We tuck the pieces together forming a small, compact stack of rubber which will not float to the surface in a landfill. If the tire is still on its rim, we use the machine to remove the rim which is destroyed in the process.
  
  
• Do you have a video of the tire shear in action?
  We certainly do! Choose one of the following three video clips to see the tire shear in use.
  
  
  Note: download times for each video will be approximately 11 minutes with a dial-up internet connection, 3 minutes with DSL, and 12 seconds with cable modem.

• Video #1: A close-up view of the tire shear being used to cut passenger car and light truck tires.
  
• Video #2: The entire process from tire pile to shear to dump truck.
  
• Video #3: Using the shear to cut up a large farm tractor tire.

• Is the tire shear loud?
  About as loud as a riding lawn mower.
  
  
• Does it throw pieces out of a chute?
  No, nothing is thrown or blown. There is no chute. Each tire piece is handled by a volunteer. Volunteers stack the cut tires neatly into the back of the host municipality's dump truck.
  
  
• Is it dangerous?
  No. everyone who works with the shear is provided with safety training and appropriate safety gear. The public is not permitted near the shear while the crew is operating it. The machine and crew are insured by the Independence Conservancy.
  
  
• Where is Allied Waste Imperial Landfill?
  Near the old Pittsburgh Airport on Boggs Road in Findlay Township, Allegheny County. Each truck driver will be given a map with directions to Allied Waste Imperial, along with a shipping manifest for each load of cut tires.

Several cut tires can be stacked inside each other, saving lots of space in the dump truck.

• Will the IC take away the rims?
  Yes. We haul away the rims and recycle the various metals.
  
  
• How many tires will a dump
  truck hold?
  With careful packing, a three ton dump can hold about three hundred tires; a ten ton dump can hold several hundred. We do not pack above the side boards. All trucks must be tarped before entering the landfill.

• Do we have to haul the cut tires to the landfill right away?
  No. The best time to go is Monday after 1 PM when there is less traffic at the scales. On Saturdays, you must be on the scales by 11:30 AM.
  
  
• Does the Independence Conservancy expect its volunteers to be allowed to operate municipal trucks or equipment?
  Absolutely not. Under no circumstances will the IC ask or expect to be allowed to operate any municipal equipment. This is why we request that a municipal official or employee be present in case something needs to be moved. We prefer to have the end gate of the dump truck we are loading lowered to make it easier to pass the tire pieces inside and for volunteers to climb in and out. With larger trucks, a machine may be needed to close the end gate when we are finished packing.

The tire shear crew tackles 1.100 tires at Economy Borough.

• Is there a big mess left over?
  No. Our volunteers clean up everything. We sweep up the debris and will hose down the area if water is available. We are careful about not tracking mud into our hosts' buildings. We strive to run a clean, safe, orderly operation.
  
  
• Is it okay to let people bring tires before the collection day?
  Please do not do this! Do not encourage people to bring tires to the collection site before the morning of the event. Some people will take advantage of the situation and dump tires without paying for their disposal. Even if they do pay in advance, a stack of unattended tires will grow rapidly. The IC cannot and will not process tires that are dumped at the site before the collection and not paid for.
  
  
• How often does the Independence Conservancy hold these collections?
  We offer several Saturdays each spring and fall on a first come, first served basis. Please reserve your date as early as possible, since some collections are scheduled a year in advance.
  
  
• Do the residents have to unload their own tires?
  No, our volunteers help the people unload their vehicles. There is no need for the driver to leave his or her car.
  
  
• Do you accept checks?
  Yes, we will accept checks with proper identification.
  
  
• Do you take credit cards?
  No, we do not process credit or debit cards.
  
  
• Can you help us with publicity?
  Absolutely! We will provide your muncipality with electronic files for post cards that you can send to your residents. We will also make full color posters for your event and print some for you if you do not have a color printer. If you have a newsletter, we will give you the text to cut and paste into your document.