I’m all for recycling. And I get that bald tires are a lot of rubber to just throw away. That’s why Australian researchers found a way to transform used tires into stable, sealed bricks to construct buildings. But a Florida man with 2,000 surplus tires chose chaos instead. Now his neighbors are angry and the EPA is taking action.
The rise of the ‘Black Fortress’
First and foremost, this story is heresay. Craig Pittman of the Florida Phoenix spoke to Rita Gomez who lives in the countryside in Dunnellon. Her neighbor has trucked in 1,500-2,000 used tires to build his very own “Black Fortress.” And just in case you miss the nickname, he’s put up signs to make it clear.
Derek Peeples has built a tire wall ringing his entire 15-acre property. And while there’s nothing wrong with that persay, he’s made two choices that are vesing his neighbors. And the EPA.
First, Peeoples reportedly stacked up raw, unsealed tires. The process filled many with dirt, mulch, or horse poop. As this ballast rots, it could create a smelly, contaminated mess. The empty tires could be even worse. Rain will fill them with water, and as that goes stale it will attract mosquitoes and other larvae…