The cleanup of the old Dededo Solid Waste Transfer Station is nearing completion for the Guam Environmental Protection Agency’s new headquarters.  But one major issue remains: what to do with the estimated $1 million discarded tires still stockpiled at the site.

The Guam EPA's new site is faced with the mounting challenge of the proper disposal of about “a million tires” discovered buried at the old facility up north. After the facility was shut down in 2015, the agency took over the property in 2022 with plans to build their new HQ. The USEPA has been helping to clean up the site after the 9.75-acre property was found to be an illegal dump. 

While the cleanup is almost done, the tire disposal issue remains a roadblock without a clear solution.  Guam EPA administrator Michelle Lastimoza says they were hoping to send the tires to FSM Recycling in Saipan, but recently found out importing used tires to the CNMI is prohibited. 

"Of course, with that information, I reached back to the company and asked what services can you provide in terms of disposing of these tires? I’m actually engaging with the local company here on Guam, which is also owned by the same company, to ask what services they are able to provide in terms of disposing of the tires," said Lastimoza. "I haven’t had that meeting yet."

Another option GEPA is considering is to invest in a tire shredder, of which she said, "Definitely, time is of the essence for finding a solution to disposing those tires."

The tire stockpiles are also a concern as they pose potential fire hazards.  Burnt cars are visible where just earlier this month, a fire broke out at Global Recycling Center - just feet away from the old Dededo Transfer Station.

"There is a perimeter fence around the 9.75-acre property," the administrator confirmed." Up until it was transferred over to Guam EPA, there was security on site. So, of course, when the contractor separated the tire piles, it allowed for fire breaks. We made sure it met the height requirements for stockpiling tires."

Lastimoza adds the federally-funded cleanup has already gone over their initial $14 million budget. "They exceeded that $14 million ceiling. In the meantime, they knew that there was still additional work to be done, so the US EPA actually submitted a correction memo to increase that $14 million ceiling," she said.

More funds had to be allocated, with the total cleanup cost now at just over $16 million.  She adds the cost to dispose the tires won't come from local monies. But with some of their federal grants eliminated in Fiscal Year 2026, she says the agency may have to cut out the “bells and whistles” in the design of their new HQ. 

"There’s always a commitment to ensure those tires are disposed of properly. At the same time, we want this facility in the future to be a a regional asset for not only Guam, but for all of the Marianas," she stated.

Lastimoza is hopeful a solution will come soon. In meantime, the tires will remain here.