Quick Answer
The easiest way to dispose of used tires is to leave them with the shop that installs your new ones for a small disposal fee, usually a few dollars per tire. Other options are your city’s transfer station or tire collection day, a tire recycler or scrap yard, or selling or donating tires that still have safe tread. Never put tires in household trash or dump them.
Key Takeaways
- Most states restrict or ban whole tires in landfills, so tires need a recycling or approved disposal route.
- Tire retailers, transfer stations, recyclers and some auto parts and scrap yards accept used tires, usually for a fee.
- Tires off the rim are cheaper and easier to dispose of; some sites charge extra or refuse tires on rims.
- Tires with legal, even tread and no damage can be sold or given away for reuse.
- Illegal dumping brings fines and creates mosquito and fire hazards.
Old tires pile up fast in garages and sheds, especially after a seasonal swap or a DIY tire change. Because they are bulky, slow to break down and a fire hazard, they cannot simply go to the curb. Here is how to get rid of them legally and cheaply, and when they are worth reusing instead.
Why Can’t You Throw Tires in the Trash?
Whole tires trap air and tend to float back to the surface of landfills, damaging liners and covers, so most states either ban them from landfills or require them to be shredded first. Many states also charge a tire fee on new tire sales that funds scrap tire programs. Your household trash hauler will almost always refuse them.
Tires dumped outdoors collect rainwater, which makes them ideal breeding spots for mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile virus. Large tire piles can also catch fire and burn for days, releasing thick, toxic smoke. That is why illegal dumping carries fines in every state.
Where Can You Dispose of Used Tires?
| Option | Typical Cost | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tire shop when buying new tires | Small per-tire fee, often bundled | Most drivers | Easiest; shop sends tires to a licensed processor |
| Tire retailer, no purchase | Per-tire fee, varies | A few spare tires at home | Call first; not every shop accepts drop-offs |
| Municipal transfer station or landfill tire area | Per-tire or per-load fee | Residents with several tires | May charge more for tires on rims or truck tires |
| Community tire amnesty or collection day | Often free for residents | Clearing a backlog | Limits on quantity; proof of residency common |
| Tire recycler or scrap processor | Varies | Larger quantities | Some pay for steel rims as scrap metal |
| Sell or donate usable tires | Free or you earn a little | Tires with safe tread and age | Online marketplaces, used tire shops |
Tip: Search your state environmental agency’s website for “scrap tire program.” Many list registered tire haulers, drop-off sites and upcoming collection events.
How Do You Dispose of Used Tires Step by Step?
Step 1: Check the Tire’s Condition
Decide whether the tire is scrap or still usable. Measure tread with a gauge or the penny test; 2/32 inch is the legal minimum in most states, and many experts recommend replacing at 4/32 inch for wet traction. Look for the four-digit DOT date code on the sidewall (week and year) and for bulges, cracks, cords showing or patched sidewalls, which make a tire scrap.
Step 2: Look Up Local Rules
Visit your city, county or state solid waste website to see where tires are accepted, the fees and any limits. Some states cap how many tires you can haul without being a registered tire transporter. Rules can differ between neighboring counties, so check where you live.
Step 3: Remove the Rims If Possible
Many facilities charge more for tires mounted on wheels, and some refuse them. A tire shop can dismount tires for a small fee. Steel or aluminum rims can then go to a scrap metal recycler, which may pay you for them.
Step 4: Prepare the Tires for Transport
Dump out any water, mud or debris so they are lighter and do not mess up your vehicle. Lay a tarp in the trunk, cargo area or truck bed. Secure tires so they cannot roll or fly out on the highway.
Step 5: Drop Them Off and Pay the Fee
Bring cash or a card and ID if the site requires proof of residency. Fees are usually per tire and vary by size, with car tires cheapest and truck or tractor tires costing more.
Step 6: Keep Your Receipt
Ask for a receipt, especially if you are disposing of many tires or run a small business. Some states require businesses to document that scrap tires went to a licensed processor.
Can You Sell or Donate Used Tires?
Yes, if they are safe. Tires with even wear, at least 4/32 inch of tread, no damage and a reasonably recent date code can sell on local marketplace apps or to used tire shops. Selling a matched set of four is much easier than a single tire.
Donation options are limited. Thrift stores generally do not take tires; Goodwill, for example, lists tires among items it cannot accept, as covered in our guide to what items Goodwill accepts. Some vocational schools, farms or community gardens may want them for training or projects, so ask locally.
Can You Reuse Old Tires at Home?
Scrap tires get a second life in many forms, from playground mulch to rubberized asphalt and tire-derived fuel. At home, people use them for swings, garden borders and exercise equipment such as tire flips. Keep these points in mind:
- Drill drainage holes so tires do not hold water and breed mosquitoes.
- Many gardeners avoid growing food in tire planters because rubber contains compounds that may leach into soil; use them for flowers instead.
- Check for exposed steel belts, which can cut hands.
- Hang swings from sound limbs with rated hardware, and inspect them each season.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
- Dumping tires in a vacant lot or ditch. It is illegal and fines can be significant.
- Hiring an unlicensed hauler. If they dump your tires, the tires may be traced back to you. Use registered haulers listed by your state.
- Burning tires. Tire fires release toxic smoke and are illegal for residents.
- Selling unsafe tires. Do not pass along tires with damage, plugs in the sidewall or very old date codes.
- Storing tires outdoors uncovered. Rainwater inside them breeds mosquitoes within days in warm weather.
How Can You Make Tires Last Longer?
Fewer scrap tires starts with good care. Check pressure monthly when tires are cold using the number on your driver’s door jamb, rotate tires roughly every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or as your owner’s manual recommends, and get an alignment if you notice uneven wear or pulling. Fuel and engine problems can also affect how you drive and maintain your car; our guide on getting water out of a gas tank covers one common issue. While the car is being serviced, small cabin fixes like repairing cracked leather seats can keep the rest of the vehicle in good shape too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to dispose of old tires?
Most tire shops and transfer stations charge a small per-tire fee, commonly a few dollars for a passenger car tire, with higher fees for truck tires and tires on rims. Prices vary by state and facility, and some communities hold free tire collection days for residents.
Will a tire shop take old tires without buying new ones?
Many tire shops will accept old tires for a disposal fee even if you are not buying new ones, but policies vary by location. Call ahead to confirm they accept drop-offs, the price per tire and whether they take tires still mounted on rims.
Can I put old tires in my garbage can?
No. Household trash haulers generally refuse tires, and most states restrict or ban whole tires in landfills. Take them to a tire retailer, transfer station, recycler or community collection event instead.
Can you recycle tires with the rims on?
Some facilities accept tires on rims but charge more, and others refuse them. Having a shop dismount the tires is often cheaper overall, and the steel or aluminum wheels can then go to a scrap metal recycler.
How old is too old for a used tire?
Read the four-digit DOT date code on the sidewall, which shows the week and year made. Many vehicle and tire makers recommend inspecting tires closely after about six years and replacing them by around ten years regardless of tread. Follow your tire and vehicle manufacturer guidance.
