A new championship golf course planned for East End could be the answer to the government’s growing tire storage problem.

Ironwood developers have researched the possibility of shredding the two million tyres and using them as fill and drainage under their planned Arnold Palmer Signature golf course. This is in the hopes of solving an environmental problem for Cayman and creating a more eco-friendly golf course.

Government has announced it is looking for bidders to take on the landfill’s tyre issue. This comes after a huge blaze broke out at the George Town landfill last month.

It’s the fourth time over the past three years a tender has been issued to remove the tyres from the dump site, each time with no successful bidder.

If no one is successful through the tender process this time, Ironwood’s plan will not only remove existing tyres but recycle all future tyres.

Denise Gower, spokesperson for Ironwood said, “After approaching Arnold Palmer Design Group with the request to be part of the solution, senior designer Thad Layton responded saying that they would like the opportunity to showcase the recycling aspect and set Cayman atop the world stage in green golf design. The project would also seek *National Audubon Society accreditation.”

Ironwood hopes this can spark momentum to resolving the other waste disposal issues by making recycling our primary solution to waste, and to design one of the most unique and environmentally-friendly golf courses in the world.

Consultant for Ironwood, Dr. Jim Park, who is a professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said:

“I have reviewed many scientific publications to investigate the potential leaching of toxic chemicals. Actually I found that tyres are capable of adsorbing toxic chemicals when the concentrations in the surrounding environment are high. I can assure you there will be no environmental issues when ground tires are used for golf course construction. Actually, pesticides and fertilizers will be removed by ground tyres when they infiltrate through green and fairway grass.”

*From Audobon website (http://www.audubon.org/about-us)

Audubon’s Mission: To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

For more than a century, Audubon has built a legacy of conservation success by mobilizing the strength of its network of members, Chapters, Audubon Centers, state offices and dedicated professional staff to connect people with nature and the power to protect it.

A powerful combination of science, education and policy expertise combine in efforts ranging from protection and restoration of local habitats to the implementation of policies that safeguard birds, other wildlife and the resources that sustain us all–in the U.S. and Across the Americas.

Audubon’s Strategic Plan

In 2012, Audubon adopted a new strategic plan with the goal of focusing and aligning the Audubon network to meet today’s unprecedented environmental challenges. Reflecting the expertise and input of staff, Chapters, board members, and other volunteers and partners, this “Roadmap for Hemispheric Conservation” will enable Audubon to deliver conservation impact at scale.