It is also illegal.

Greene County Solid Waste Management District supervisor Debbie Haseman says the recent rash of roadside dumpings of tires on the eastside of the county is also getting expensive to clean up.

Haseman said the latest discovery came last week on two successive days near Hobbieville. A total of 19 semi-truck sized tires -- cut off the rims -- were dumped along County Road 1325 E near the Greene-Lawrence county line.

Haseman pointed out that there seems to be a pattern developing in the area.

The first major tire dump in the eastern Greene happened in November when 45 rimless passenger vehicle tires were found on the county right of way and on private property on Old Clifty Road (225 S) about one mile south of State Road 45.

"The tires had all been cut off the rims. The land owner lives in Indianapolis and visits the property occasionally on weekends," Haseman said.

Culprits struck again March 8 at the same location. This time, 17 rimless -- cut off in the exact same fashion -- passenger tires were dumped.

The cost of the clean-ups and recycling charges is costing the county.

The cost of recycling the 62 tires dumped on Old Clifty Road was $124.00. The cost of recycling the 19 semi tires was $114.00.

"If an individual brings in tires for recycling they are charged a recycling fee starting at $2 for a rimless passenger tire. Larger tires cost more and any tire on the rim is double the cost," Haseman explained.

Since January, 111 assorted tires have been brought in to the Recycling Center, located near Switz City.

More than half were dumped illegally.

"Only 46 were paid for -- meaning 65 of them were illegally dumped. The tire recycling company was here on Tuesday to collect the tires. Our cost was $300, however, we only received $169 in recycling fees," Haseman stated. "We always have to pay more for the tires than we receive in fees because of all the illegal dumping. Tires are illegally dumped all over the county, not just eastern Greene."

Haseman pointed out that recyclers pay the same amount the tire recycling company charges the Recycling Center.

But she added, "If a resident brings in tires that were illegally dumped on their property we do not charge them. We are thankful they took the time and effort to pick them up and bring them in. Plus, I'm sure they did not asked to be dumped on."

Haseman said the SWMD relies on assistance from the Greene County Highway Department to pick up the illegally dumped tires, which is also an extra cost in manpower and fuel.

"Whenever I receive a phone call or a visit from someone reporting tires dumped on a Greene County road, I contact Basil Shepherd, superintendent at the Highway Department. Within a couple of days, county employees pick up the tires and bring them to the Recycling Center for proper handling," Haseman said. "I can't thank Basil and his employees enough. We have a very small staff and limited equipment making it difficult to clean up dumps all over Greene County's 540 square miles."

Haseman believes the recent rash of tire dumpings in the eastern part of the county is very suspicious and likely linked.

"It would appear that someone is hauling tires for someone probably for a fee then cutting them off the rims for scrap value then dumping the tires and pocketing all the money," she said.

Her advice would be for people and businesses alike to hire a reputable tire hauler and require a receipt in return from the tire recycler or the landfill where they end up.

"Don't assume the tires will be disposed of or recycled in an environmentally safe way. For a fee, rimless tires can be landfilled if they are cut into four pieces. No matter what you are having hauled off for disposal, make sure you know exactly where it is going and require receipts for your records," Haseman stressed.

To report illegal tire dumping contact the Greene County Recycling Center at 659-3788 or the Greene County Sheriff's Department at 384-4411.