Chandler and Wellston are two cities collaborating in the “Keep Route 66 Beautiful Tire Cleanup” initiative launched on Aug. 12. The project is being carried out in partnership with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and local businesses, according to a press release from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.
The free cleanup event will run from Aug. 31 to Sept. 8. Community members are encouraged drop off old tires at the designated locations, said the press release.
Five cities have drop-off spots. In Chandler, participants can drop off tires at 200 West 10th Street in the empty parking lot at the northwest corner of 10th and Steele. In Wellston, participants can drop off tires at the Wellston Water Plant (405 E Second Street). Other cities with spots are Edmond (2004 Old Timbers Drive), Arcadia (Chicken Shack parking lot) and Luther (Conoco Phillips gas station next to the pecan orchards - 18725 East Highway 66).
In Edmond, only Edmond residents can drop off tires (proof of residency required) and the drop-off point will only be open on Aug. 31 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Volunteers will be at all designated spots to help with collection.
They will ensure that the tires are disposed of properly and recycled.
At the end of the collection period, the DEQ will pick up the reclaimed tires for proper disposal on Sept. 9.
The project is being led by the Chicken Shack in Arcadia and the Midpoint Corridor, an 11-city collaboration of municipalities along Historic Route 66 from Sapula to Edmond. Chandler, Davenport and Stroud are all members.
The initiative is an effort to preserve the historic highway’s environmental integrity and foster community engagement and responsibility, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful said.
“Route 66 is not just a road; it’s a piece of living history that deserves our care and respect,” Executive Director Evelyn Schaefer said.
For more information, visit the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful website.