BRYAN, TEXAS — Located at the City of Bryan's Municipal Services Center off of Waco Street in Bryan, the City's new used oil and tire recycling center opened to the public Monday.
Formerly a do-it-yourself oil drop-off facility, the location wasn't completely staffed and didn't accept tires, but now, they do.
The new 'Used Oil and Tire Recycling Center' is a new option to safely dispose of your spare tires and oil.
"We will have attendants come out and assist you. They take a little bit of your information. Confirm Bryan residency, and then, take any used tires you might have up to 8 at a time, and up to 5 gallons of used motor oil or cooking oil," Jared Birkhead, an Environmental Operations Supervisor for the City of Bryan said.
Birkhead, an Environmental Operations Supervisor with the City of Bryan says, this new location is just one of a few locations where you can drop off oils, and the only one, he believes, where you can drop off tires for free as a Bryan resident.
"We work hand and hand with our Code Enforcement Department, and one of the big issues that arise in the city of Bryan is illegally dumped tires when you go down streets, sometimes, you might see that, and we are wanting to assist them with this program," Birkhead added.
So instead of residents saying they don't have an option to get rid of tires, as part of their solid waste service, they are now taking them off their hands.
"We are trying to minimize the impact not only to the City of Bryan, but the environment as well. Of course, we know tires in the right time of year are big mosquito havens, so we also think this will assist in the insect population as well," Birkhead said.
So getting those tires off of the streets, and out of properties, and disposed of properly, helps everyone and residents are pitching in.
Louis Koronka was a resident taking advantage of the new center the first day it opened.
"I am here to help clean up Brazos County, and if we could all get involved with this unique situation that we have here from the City of Bryan to help up clean up the city, it would help tremendously," Louis Koronka, a Brazos County resident said.
Residents say, this new unique option is a great way to work as a team and keep Brazos County clean.
The new center will be open 8 A.M.-5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, and 8 A.M.-12 P.M. on Saturdays.
Residents are asked to enter on Waco Street, and remain in their vehicle, until an attendant is able to assist.
The City says, you may be required to show proof that you are a Bryan resident/solid waste residential customer (such as your BTU bill or driver’s license).
According to the City, below are acceptable forms of items you can drop off:
- TIRE RECYCLING: Bring up to 8 used tires per visit, which will be unloaded and collected by city staff. Accepted materials include used passenger, light and medium duty tires (on or off rim). (Tractor-trailer, heavy equipment or tires generated from commercial or industrial use will not be accepted.)
- USED OIL: Bring up to 5 gallons of used motor oils, filters and cooking oils/grease per visit. Residents will be directed to dispose of their oil at the do-it-yourself oil recycling center. (Restaurant cooking oils, used oils/filters from mechanic shops and industrial oils will not be accepted.)
Around noon on Feb 1., the new center had already received nearly 100 tires from Bryan residents.