Discarded end-of-life tires are creating an environmental crisis in Tijuana, Baja California, as millions of used tires from the U.S. end up clogging the Tijuana River Channel. This dumping ground for trash and sewage is visible from aerial footage captured by the non-profit environmental group WILDCOAST. The Tijuana River Channel flows south of San Diego and empties into the Pacific Ocean, carrying a staggering number of discarded tires.

According to Anne Middleton, Associate Director of WILDCOAST, California alone ships an estimated 3 million tires annually to Baja California. Once in Mexico, these tires often see further use before being discarded in neighborhoods lacking trash collection services. The closest tire recycling facility is in Mexicali, leaving many residents with no viable disposal options. Consequently, tires accumulate in the channel, contributing to pollution and creating barriers in cleanup efforts.

Video by CBS 8 San Diego .

Tires pose a significant environmental threat due to their composition, which includes harmful chemicals that can leach into groundwater. WILDCOAST staff have repurposed some of the tires, using them to construct retaining walls or as playground swings in lower-income areas. However, these efforts are only a small step toward addressing the broader problem.

Middleton emphasizes the need for collaboration between the U.S. and Mexican governments to fund a tire recycling facility in Tijuana. Such a solution could break the cycle of cross-border pollution and reduce the burden of discarded tires on communities in Baja California.

For San Diego residents, local recycling options are available through , where you can find facilities for proper tire disposal.

Article source: courtesy of ABC10 News.