by Emily Hemphill, emily@sewardindependent.com
The scrap tire collection happening this weekend, April 19 and 20, at the Seward County Fairgrounds will end earlier than planned, according to county officials.
The site will finish out collection on Friday, April 19, until 5 p.m. but will not accept tires as originally planned on Saturday, April 20.
County Commissioner Misty Ahmic said the county is already nearing its weight capacity of 350 tons – the amount of tires it can collect under the grant it received for the tire disposal event.
Those planning to drop off tires on Saturday will not be able to do so. Those planning to drop off tires Friday should be prepared for long lines and lengthy wait times as they enter the fairgrounds, as well as congested traffic on Highway 34 and on Bluff Road.
Ahmic said several truckloads of tires were turned away Friday morning because people didn't follow instructions before arriving.
Those disposing of tires must remove them from rims, count the tires or weigh their load prior to arriving on the fairgrounds, and they must not have collected a fee for tire disposal, such as at a commercial business.
The Seward County Road Department, assisting with the event, apologized on social media for any inconvenience the change in schedule may have caused residents.
"On behalf of Seward county we apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused. We will plan to hold events in the future," the department said.
It's been 10 years since the county's last tire collection event. The collection is made possible through a $48,050 Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy grant.
The tires will be hauled to the Butler County Landfill, where they will be shredded for alternative daily cover in the landfill.
The county said it could take up to 17 work days to haul away and unload the tires at the landfill – meaning they will remain in the fairgrounds arena for a few weeks.
