2 MILLION TIRES on the bottom of the ocean floor? We'll tell you how.
➡️ In the 1960s and 70s, tire recycling was not widely available, so America’s waste tires were crowding landfills, piling up in illegal dump sites, and polluting the environment - creating a huge tire disposal problem.
In the early 1970s, a nonprofit group suggested using the tires to expand an artificial reef off the coast of Florida. It was believed that the tire reef would encourage new coral growth, attract more big game fish to Florida’s waters, improve local biodiversity, and benefit the local economy.
Ultimately, over 2 MILLION used car tires were bound together with steel clips and nylon straps. Then, with the help of over 100 privately owned vessels, thousands of tire bundles were dropped onto the ocean floor in an attempt to expand the Osborne Reef.
The Osborne Reef was supposed to be the longest artificial coral reef in the world; however, this well-intentioned environmental restoration project ultimately failed.
Today, 4ocean is stepping in! Visit the link in our bio to learn more and help us remove these tires.