Ceres residents who have old car tires around the yard or in the garage may want to take advantage of a free disposal program offered this week through Saturday.

Billed as a "Waste Tire Amnesty Event," the city is issuing a coupon or voucher to Ceres residents only who want to throw away up to nine used tires by hauling them to Bertolotti Transfer Station, 231 Flaming Drive just outside of Ceres. The business is accepting tires 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Disposal is free only with a city-issued coupon and available by calling Kay Dunkel at 538-5790. To receive a voucher, a Ceres resident must provide their name, address, phone number and a Ceres water, sewer and garbage account number. The city is only giving vouchers to those living within the Ceres city limits.

Stanislaus County residents may get a similar voucher from the county by dialing 525-6700.

Tires with rims are okay to take in but large truck or tractor tires do not qualify. Businesses may not participate in the program.

Dunkel said that 63 residents had called in for vouchers as of Thursday.

The event is being paid for by a $4,005 grant to the city by CalRecycle. Another waste tire event is planned for the fall of 2014 and if funds are left over will be offered again in spring 2015.

Used tires will be hauled from the south Modesto yard to Golden Byproducts in Ballico where they will be shredded into a chip product used in landscaping.