A Bridgeport business owner who sells tires for a living is working to fight illegal tire dumping in advance of Global Recycling Day.

Ayman Sadik, who owns "Bargain Tires" on Park Avenue, says he is fed up with people dumping their old car tires in parks, wooded areas, empty lots and even the Long Island Sound.

He says most tire businesses will accept old tires and have them sent to a bulk recycling shredder for a small fee.

Global Recycling Day is observed on March 18.

"Especially this month, I am encouraging people to recycle the tires the right way, not to just dump them in the ocean or somewhere because that will end up being very, very bad for the environment," Sadik says.

He adds tires are also a serious fire hazard and can burn for long periods of time. Sadik says tires contain heavy metals that can leak into the environment as they decompose.