HILO >> Disused tires collect water and give mosquitoes a breeding ground, which Hawaii County is trying to reduce amid a dengue fever outbreak by offering free recycling.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports residents were concerned recycling tires was cost-prohibitive for some and that improper disposal methods were being used by others. In response, the county last week started accepting tires for free at all 22 of its waste recycling and transfer centers.

Department of Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd said it came as a bit of a surprise that in a week, 320 tires were collected at a single transfer station.

Hawaii County didn’t previously accept tires at all and residents had to pay private recyclers a fee, typically about $5 per tire.