San Antonio's Safe Tire Disposal Site to Be Cleared, Repurposed by New Owner, Texas-based Copart, Inc.

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 9, 2018

"Our new San Antonio property acquisition is a win-win for Copart and for the state of Texas," said Copart CEO Jay Adair. "Copart is pleased to be part of the solution to the tire disposal site. This is not just good business for Copart, it's also good environmental stewardship. It's the right thing to do."

Copart currently operates a San Antonio auction location at the neighboring 11130 Applewhite Road. It plans to expand its vehicle storage and auction operations onto the new site once the remaining tires are cleared.

"Copart's commitment to clearing and repurposing the Applewhite Road site dramatically reduces the risk of fire and disease to the Southside," said Texas Representative Tomas Uresti. "For years, the Safe Tire site has been a dangerous area despite enforcement actions from TCEQ and the Texas Attorney General. I'm pleased that all our hard work, especially the years of work by Senator Carlos Uresti, is finally resulting in removing this blight from our area. San Antonio applauds Copart's environmental stewardship and sound business principles."

In 2014, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality conducted an investigation following complaints from area residents regarding mosquitos coming from the tire site. The state investigation confirmed the complaints and showed that over one million tires are stored at the site. Those conditions have persisted despite enforcement actions.

"The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality looks forward to partnering with Copart to remediate the tires at the former Safe Tire site in San Antonio," said Richard Hyde, the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. "The TCEQ, elected officials and local residents have worked to find solutions to the problem and welcome Copart as a good steward of our environment."