How to Legally Dispose of Old Tires
With regular scheduled garbage collection, we’ve gotten used to the idea that if we want to throw something away, we can just put it in a trash bag or bin, throw it on the curb, and on the appointed day of the week. , sanitation workers or waste disposal companies carry it away.
But as it turns out, there are certain rules that cities and private companies have that dictate what they will and won’t accept. In fact, it is illegal in many states to dispose of certain items through regular garbage collection, including old tires. Here’s how to get rid of them legally.
Why can’t you throw old tires in the trash?
At this point, we should all try to reduce the amount of waste we produce that ends up in landfills, but old tires are a special case. First, the shape of the tires means they hold a lot of air, which not only takes up more space than other items of the same size, but causes them to migrate to the surface of the landfill.
Once there, the tires collect rainwater, which becomes stagnant and attracts rodents and mosquitoes. Old tires in landfills also pose a fire hazard because they trap methane emissions . While fires of any kind are bad news, tire fires are known to be difficult to put out.
Another major concern is that the tires contain steel belts that can break through the landfill, contaminating the ground underneath. Plus, they’re non-biodegradable , meaning they’re likely to last hundreds (if not thousands) of years before decomposing.
How to legally dispose of old tires
Luckily, there are legal ways to get rid of old tires. Here is some of them:
Leave it to the professionals
If you are bringing your car to the shop to get new tires, ask about recycling options. Sometimes they charge a separate fee for the disposal of your old tires, or it may be included in the cost of changing tires.
You can also ask what they do with old tires , like whether they recycle them or take them to a landfill. If they end up in a landfill, you can always recycle them yourself.
Disposal of old tires
Visit your city or state government website for local tire recycling regulations and where to find recycling centers that accept tires. You can also use this online tool to find tire recycling centers in your area.
Recycling or repurposing old tires
There are many ways to repurpose old tires that don’t require making a swing (although that’s also an option). Some popular projects include using old tires as planters, mini sandboxes, raised garden beds, and to make coffee tables or ottomans.
No matter how you rework your old tires, be sure to clean them thoroughly with a pressure washer first (you can do this using a regular garden hose ). If that doesn’t get rid of grease and grime, rub it down with a non-toxic degreaser (like this DIY version ).