HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Habersham County residents will have a free opportunity next week to dispose of old tires as county leaders launch a weeklong tire amnesty event aimed at reducing illegal dumping and cleaning up roadways and waterways.
The event will run June 1-6 at the Habersham County Landfill, located at 4900 Dicks Hill Parkway in Mt. Airy. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
County officials say the effort is part of a broader countywide scrap tire cleanup initiative approved by county commissioners earlier this month through a fiscal year 2026 Scrap Tire Abatement Reimbursement grant agreement with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
The program is funded through Georgia’s Solid Waste Trust Fund, which is supported by fees collected on new tire sales statewide. The grant can reimburse local governments up to $75,000 annually for the cost of collecting, transporting and recycling scrap tires.
At the May 18 county commission meeting, Habersham County Solid Waste Director Johnnie Vickers told commissioners the county must complete approved cleanup activities before submitting documentation for reimbursement through the state program.
Commission Chair Bruce Harkness said during that meeting the program could significantly help the county address its long-running problem of illegally dumped tires.
“This is going to be a huge program for our county to get rid of old, used tires that are located in the county,” Harkness said.
According to county guidelines, accepted items during the amnesty event include passenger car tires, pickup truck tires, motorcycle tires and tractor tires. Tires must be clean, dry and removed from rims before being dropped off.
The event is open only to Habersham County residents, who must provide proof of residency. Tires from businesses, tire dealers and nonprofit organizations will not be accepted.
Officials also said rubber tracks, foam-filled tires and tires still mounted on rims are prohibited.
County leaders hope the event will help reduce the number of tires dumped in ditches, waterways and wooded areas across Habersham County while encouraging residents to properly recycle unwanted tires.
Additional information is available through Habersham County Solid Waste at 706-839-0242 or through the county website.
