The leaders at Metropolitan Congregations United are concerned about the impact scrap tire dumping is having on their communities. Tires sitting in the sun can release methane gas. Tires can harbor mosquitoes and snakes. When tires are burned, they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air we breathe. This petition demands policy reform to stop the systematic disposal of scrap tires in vacant lots and remote locations to protect public health and to ensure steps towards clean land in our communities. 

Scrap Tires are toxic waste and these are the three demands for reform that need to be taken by the Waste Management Program from Missouri Department of Natural Resources include:

1) Creating a digital system with all scrap tire producers and haulers. Paper reporting should no longer be an option due to lack of enforcement to make sure licensed haulers are used by all vendors. The use of modern app technology will allow for better reporting to MDNR and promote accountabliity in our communities.

2) Create an automated alert that communities can opt-in to receive when new haulers are added to the licensing office and when haulers lose their license. This will allow for low income and underserved communities to follow-up with their local businesses to ensure that they are not participating in the use of unlicensed scrap tire haulers. 

3) Retreading is not regulated, and we demand that this loop hole be closed so that all scrap tires parts can be tracked to eliminate dumping.