Del-Nat Tire Corp. is turning discarded tires into trees with its “Tires for Trees” program.
The company recently planted a 14-foot Sugar Maple tree and presented an $832 check to the Memphis City Beautiful Commission, as a result of its “Tires for Trees” program launched last spring.
In May, a volunteer team from Del-Nat, collected more than 800 used and discarded tires from around south Memphis. For every tire collected, Del- Nat donated $1 toward the purchase of trees by the commission.
In addition, the company donated the Sugar Maple planted during the presentation ceremony and the first tree to be planted as part of the program.
“The tree planting brings our initial effort to fruition,” said Jim Mayfield, president of Del-Nat. “Our ‘Tires for Trees’ program is a perfect way for Del-Nat to contribute to our community helping to beautify our city and remove a health hazard in a blighted area. Disposing of discarded tires eliminates places where mosquitoes breed.
“You could say we’re completing the cycle, from delivering new tires to properly disposing of used ones,” he said. “We’re pleased with what has been accomplished thus far and plan to build on what we’ve started.”