How to Dispose of Old Tires Legally with Your State’s Laws

Tires are an important part of our lives. They help us get to where we need to be, and they provide traction for the vehicle on the road. Tires also have a life span that is dependent on how often you use them. Once they become too old or worn out, it’s time to dispose of them properly so they don’t cause harm anywhere near your home or business. In this blog post, we will discuss how to legally dispose of old tires in your state with any applicable laws.

Illegally Disposing of Old Tires

Many states have strict laws against illegally disposing of tires. For example, in California, the penalty for illegal tire disposal is a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. Not only that but you will likely be required to clean up any illegally dumped tires as well. Some states are even more strict, for example in Ohio it is reported that you can face fines up to $10,000 to $25,000 and up to 4 years in jail.

Legally Disposing of Old Tires

In order to legally dispose of your old tires, you have several options. If your tires are in good condition with no punctures or cracks, they can be resold to a tire dealer. Dealers will often take old worn-out tires for recycling purposes as well.

If you are putting new tires on your vehicle, odds are that the mechanic will handle the disposal of your tires and include the fee within your service line items. When you buy new tires, pay the extra fee. Tires are removed and disposed of by tire haulers and landfill operators. The dealer will dispose of your old tires for a little cost when you acquire new tires. This fee is determined by the tire dealer.

Another choice is to bring your tires to a licensed scrap tire facility. There may be a charge for dropping off your tires. Make sure to call ahead to find out the cost.

If you’re unsure about where to go, check with your local recycling center or tire dealer and see if they can help. You can also call a waste hauler in your area to remove your tires, but the cost will likely be higher than taking them to a mechanic for disposal yourself.

Can I Place Tires in Curbside Waste Collection?

Tires cannot be thrown out curbside. They must always be treated with care. Don’t toss your tire in the garbage or along for bulk waste collection if it can no longer be salvaged. Cars produce approximately 246 million waste tires each year in the United States.

Can I Throw Tires into a Dumpster?

Don’t place your tires in a dumpster either. These units only collect and dispose of items that come from inside homes or businesses, not outside waste like tires. If you are caught illegally throwing tires into a dumpster, you will be charged a fee and potentially face jail time.

Many states have laws against illegally disposing of tires; make sure you check your state’s policies. Here is a list of links to each state agency that deals with tire disposal:

Can I Burn Tires?

No! Burning old worn-out tires is hazardous to the environment and often illegal as well. This can produce toxic fumes including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. This can seriously damage the environment and harm people who breathe in these fumes, which could cause respiratory problems among others.

Can Tires be Recycled?

Yes, tires can be recycled. Tires are made of rubber and steel wire that is recyclable. Choose to recycle your old worn-out tires when you acquire new ones by bringing them to a licensed tire disposal facility or recycling center. In fact, about 76% of scrap tires were recycled in the U.S. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can place them with regular recycling, you must take them to a facility capable of recycling tires.

Creative Uses for Old Tires

You may repurpose old tires at home to make anything from a tire swing to a unique outdoor chair. You may also build a tire swing, planter, or unique outside chair out of worn tires.

Conclusion

We hope this article helps you learn some of the best ways to get rid of old tires. If you need help with recycling options in your area or locations that accept scrap tires, check out our Waste Handler Locator.