You’ve got old tires. Maybe you just replaced them, or you found a stack in the garage when you moved in. Either way, you’ve probably discovered that getting rid of tires is weirdly difficult.
After 25 years in waste management, I can tell you tires are one of the most frustrating items to dispose of. Most landfills and transfer stations won’t take them. Or if they do, they charge premium fees. There’s a reason for this, and once you understand it, finding the right disposal option gets easier.
Why Landfills Don’t Want Tires
Tires aren’t just unwanted—they’re actively problematic in landfills. Understanding why helps you see why disposal options are limited.
Many states have outright banned whole tires from landfills. It's not just policy preference—tires create genuine operational and safety problems.
They trap gases. Tires collect methane as waste decomposes. The trapped gas makes tires buoyant—they literally float up through the landfill and damage cover systems. I’ve seen tires resurface years after burial.
They hold water. Old tires fill with rainwater and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, including species that carry West Nile virus and other diseases.
They don’t decompose. A tire takes an estimated 50-80 years to break down. They just sit there, taking up space that could be used for waste that actually decomposes.
Fire risk. Tire fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish. Some have burned for months or even years, releasing toxic smoke containing heavy metals and carcinogens. The EPA has documented major tire fires that caused significant environmental damage.
Option 1: Tire Retailers (Easiest)
The simplest option is to have the shop that installed your new tires take the old ones. This is what I recommend to everyone.
What to expect:
- Most shops charge $2-5 per tire for disposal
- Fee is often included in the installation price
- They’re equipped to handle tires properly
- No hassle—you drive away without them
| Retailer | Disposal Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Discount Tire | $3-4/tire | Often waived with purchase |
| Costco | Included | With tire purchase only |
| Walmart | $3/tire | Accepted with purchase |
| Local shops | $3-10/tire | Call ahead |
When getting new tires installed, just tell them to keep the old ones. Don't bring them home. This is the path of least resistance, and the small disposal fee is worth avoiding the hassle.
Bought tires online? You can still take old tires to a local shop for disposal. Call ahead and expect to pay $5-10 per tire since you didn’t buy from them.
Option 2: Tire Recycling Centers
Dedicated tire recyclers accept old tires and process them into new materials. Recycled tires become:
- Rubber mulch for playgrounds and landscaping
- Running track and athletic surfaces
- Rubberized asphalt for roads
- Fuel for industrial furnaces (tire-derived fuel)
- Crumb rubber for artificial turf
To find a tire recycler near you, search “[your city] tire recycling” or check with your county waste management office. The Tire Industry Association maintains resources on tire recycling programs.
Some tire recyclers accept tires for free if you bring a reasonable quantity (4-8 tires). Others charge $2-5 per tire. Call ahead—prices vary significantly and some have minimum quantities.
Option 3: Municipal Collection Events
Many cities and counties run periodic tire collection events, often for free. This is your best option for getting rid of tires at no cost.
Where to find announcements:
- Your city’s waste management website
- Local news and community calendars
- Water or utility bill inserts
- City social media accounts
- County health department (mosquito control often sponsors these)
| Event Type | Typical Limit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| City collection event | 4-8 tires | Free |
| County cleanup day | 8-10 tires | Free |
| Household hazardous waste day | 4 tires | Free |
Free tire collection events are popular. Arrive early—I've seen lines form an hour before opening. Once they hit capacity, they stop accepting tires regardless of who's still waiting.
Option 4: Transfer Stations (Sometimes)
Some transfer stations accept tires, but with restrictions and fees. This is hit-or-miss depending on your location.
Typical rules:
- Passenger tires only (no truck or tractor tires)
- Tires must be off the rim
- Limit per visit (often 4-8 tires)
- Fee: $3-10 per tire
Use our interactive map to find facilities near you, or check by state: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia.
Always call before you go. Tire policies vary by facility, and some only accept tires on certain days. Nothing worse than loading tires in your car only to be turned away.
The Tire Fee You Already Paid
Here’s something most people don’t know: when you buy new tires, you pay a state tire fee (usually $1-5 per tire). This fee funds tire recycling and cleanup programs.
| State | Tire Fee |
|---|---|
| California | $1.75/tire |
| Texas | $2.00/tire |
| Florida | $1.00/tire |
| New York | $2.50/tire |
| Georgia | $1.00/tire |
So technically, you’ve already paid for proper disposal. The challenge is finding a convenient place that participates in the program.
Some states (like California) require any retailer that sells tires to also accept them for recycling. If a tire shop refuses to take your old tires, remind them of this requirement. They may not advertise it, but they're legally obligated.
What NOT to Do
Tire disposal violations are taken seriously. I've seen people get hit with massive fines for what they thought was "just a few tires."
Don’t dump them illegally. Tire dumps are an enforcement priority because of fire and mosquito risks. Fines start at $500 per tire in many jurisdictions and can reach $25,000+ for larger quantities. Surveillance cameras are increasingly common at known dumping spots.
Don’t burn them. Tire fires produce toxic black smoke containing heavy metals, benzene, and other carcinogens. It’s illegal everywhere, dangerous to your health, and nearly impossible to extinguish. I’ve responded to tire fires that took weeks to fully put out.
Don’t bury them. They’ll eventually work their way back to the surface. The gas-trapping issue that makes them problematic in landfills works the same way in your backyard.
Don’t leave them at the curb. Regular trash pickup won’t take them. They’ll sit there until you get a notice from the city, then you’ll have to deal with them anyway—plus potentially a fine.
Don’t let them pile up. Every tire holding water is a mosquito breeding ground. A single tire can produce thousands of mosquitoes over a summer.
Dealing With a Lot of Tires
If you’ve inherited a pile of tires (bought a property with an old tire stack, for example), you need a different approach.
Contact Your County
Some areas have programs specifically for large tire cleanups, especially if the tires were dumped illegally by previous owners. You may be able to get free or reduced-cost disposal.
Hire a Tire Hauler
Commercial tire haulers will pick up large quantities for a fee. Search “[your area] tire removal service” or “commercial tire disposal.”
What to expect:
- Pickup fees start around $50-100 for small quantities
- Large piles may be quoted by the truckload
- Some haulers charge per tire ($3-8 each)
If you bought a property with illegally dumped tires, document everything with photos and dates. Some states have cleanup funds for inherited tire dumps, and documentation helps your case.
Organize a Community Cleanup
If illegal tire dumping is a problem in your area, local government may sponsor cleanup events with free disposal. Contact your county commissioner’s office or environmental services department.
Commercial and Specialty Tires
The options above mostly apply to passenger vehicle tires. Larger tires have different rules and higher costs.
| Tire Type | Disposal Cost | Where to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger car | $3-10/tire | Retailers, recyclers, events |
| Light truck | $5-15/tire | Retailers, recyclers |
| Commercial truck | $10-25/tire | Commercial tire dealers |
| Tractor/farm | $25-100+/tire | Ag dealers, specialty recyclers |
| Off-road/ATV | $3-10/tire | Same as passenger |
Tractor and farm tires: These are the hardest to dispose of due to size. Agricultural tire dealers usually offer disposal, or contact your county agricultural extension office. Some farmers cut them up for use as feeders or other farm applications.
State-Specific Notes
California
California requires all tire retailers to accept used tires for recycling—this is state law. The $1.75 tire fee funds a robust recycling program through CalRecycle. Many transfer stations accept tires for free or low cost. This is one of the easiest states for tire disposal.
Texas
Texas charges a $2 tire fee, but disposal options vary by region. Urban areas (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) have more choices. Check TCEQ for registered tire processors in your area. Rural areas may have limited options.
Florida
Florida has good tire recycling infrastructure. Most tire retailers participate in disposal programs, and many counties offer free collection events, often through mosquito control programs. Check the Florida DEP for county-specific resources.
New York
New York requires tire retailers to accept old tires. The $2.50 fee funds recycling programs. NYC residents can dispose of up to 4 tires at household special waste drop-off sites. Check NY DEC for statewide options.
Georgia
My home state. Georgia has a $1 tire fee and requires retailers to accept tires at point of sale. Many counties run periodic collection events. Check Georgia EPD for registered tire handlers.
Disposal Checklist
- When buying new tires, have the shop keep the old ones
- For tires at home, check for municipal collection events
- Call local tire shops about drop-off disposal ($3-10/tire)
- Search for tire recycling centers in your area
- Check if your transfer station accepts tires (call first)
- Never let tires sit outside collecting water
Doing a Full Garage Cleanout?
If you’re clearing out more than just tires, you might also be dealing with:
- Old appliances (that broken lawnmower or grill)
- Paint cans (latex vs oil-based rules)
- Electronics (old power tools, radios)
- Yard waste (branches and debris)
- Furniture (old workbench, shelving)
The Bottom Line
- Easiest answer: Have the shop keep your old tires when you get new ones installed. Pay the small fee and never think about it again.
- For tires at home: Call local tire shops. Most will take them for $5-10 per tire.
- For free disposal: Watch for municipal collection events. They’re typically offered a few times per year.
- For large quantities: Contact your county or hire a commercial tire hauler.
Whatever you do, don’t let tires pile up in your yard. They’re a mosquito breeding ground, a fire hazard, and an eyesore.
Use our state directory or interactive map to find disposal facilities near you.
If you change your own oil and rotate your own tires, build a relationship with a local tire shop. They're more likely to accept your old tires at reasonable rates if you're a regular customer for other services.
