An old tire here and there can be turned into a cute planter or epic tire swing, but too many tires lying around? Major eyesore — not to mention disposing of tires can be a challenge since most waste haulers won’t accept them in their dumpsters or curbside trash pickup.
So, how can you get rid of tires? Here are our top ideas to get them off your hands safely and legally.
Why Proper Tire Disposal Matters
Almost one-quarter of scrap tires end up in landfills each year. These tires can damage landfill covers that reduce odors, pests and other hazards. Recycling tires instead can protect the environment from harmful emissions.
Why You Can’t Throw Tires in the Trash
There are many laws and regulations around how to dispose of tires. Most states ban tires from landfills for several reasons:
- Scrap tires are bulky and not biodegradable. They take up large amounts of space in landfills.
- Regular passenger tires like you might find on your own car typically contain steel belts that landfills can’t process.
- Tire stockpiles can cause uncontrollable fires that release dangerous gasses, heavy metals, oil and other pollutants into the environment, threatening human health.
- A tire’s shape can attract mosquitoes and rodents when piled together.
How to Get Rid of Tires
With laws restricting tire disposal in landfills, it can be difficult to know the ins and outs of how to dispose of old tires legally. Here’s where to take old tires once they become too worn for your vehicle.
Dispose of Tires With a Registered Scrap Transporter
Scrap tire transporters are businesses that pick up and transport old tires to a storage or processing facility. In some states, you must be licensed to haul a large number of tires at one time. If you have a stash of tires you need to get rid of, these facilities are a good option. Check with your state’s environmental agency for scrap tire regulations and a list of eligible haulers to help figure out where to get rid of tires near you.
Drop Them Off at a Tire Recycling Center
Old tires can be turned into fuel, paving material and more when handed over to the right place. Specialized recycling organizations are one of the best places to get rid of tires responsibly. Contact a facility in your area before dropping them off to ask about fees and restrictions.
Reach Out to a Local Auto Shop
When you buy new tires, most auto shops will recycle your used tires for a fee by passing them over to an EPA-certified recycler. Leaving used tires with your retailer when you buy new tires is the easiest way to ensure your old tires are put to good use. However, if you don’t plan on buying new tires from the shop, you can still reach out and ask if they’re willing to dispose of old tires for you.
Wait for a Tire Collection Event
Some cities and counties host regular tire recycling events. Residents are encouraged to bring their used tires and get them recycled for free. Check with your local solid waste division to see if your community hosts an event like this.
Upcycle Your Old Tires With One of These Projects
Disposing of tires often comes with a fee. If you have only a few tires to get rid of, try out one of these free and unique used tire ideas.
Tire Swing
A tire swing is an easy and fun addition to your backyard. If you already have a tire, all you’ll need to finish the job is a drill, a rope and a sturdy tree.
- To start this project, clean the old tire with a pressure washer.
- Then, drill drainage holes in the bottom of the tire to avoid pooling rainwater.
- Place heavy duty exterior rope over a healthy tree branch that’s at least 8 inches thick. Double the rope over the branch.
- Slide the two ends of the rope through the center of the tire and around the top of the tire twice. Adjust the tire until it sits at your desired height.
- To finish, tie a bowline knot.
Tire Flower Planter
Another idea is to display your favorite potted plant in your used tires. While tires are fine to grow flowers in, they should not be used as planters for anything edible because of the chemicals they contain.
- First, it’s a good idea to drill drainage holes in the bottom of the tires.
- Then, paint the tire a desired color and let dry.
- Tie the tire to a rope and attach it to a tree or porch.
- After it is hanging securely, place your flowers inside. If you’re using real plants, fill the lower half of the tire with soil before inserting the flowers.
Tire Exercise Equipment
Some gyms have turf areas with access to tire exercise equipment. Large tires are best for most exercises, but consider asking your local gym or park district if they’ll accept your average-sized vehicle tires.
If that doesn’t work, make use of them during your home-based workouts. You don’t have to love CrossFit to use your old tire as a piece of workout equipment. Here are a couple functional exercises to try out at home.
Box Jumping
Box jumps help increase your vertical jump. Stand facing the tire. Squat down as you prepare for a jump. Let your arms swing backward and leap onto the tire.
Lateral Jumping
Lateral jumps can help develop strength in your lower body. Squat slightly while standing next to your tire. Jump sideways onto the tire and land in a half squat. Step down from the tire and repeat.
Have Other Materials That Are Difficult to Get Rid Of?
Now you know what to do with old tires, but you may be wondering how to dispose of other unusable materials. Check out our helpful guides to get rid of such items properly, from old paint to bulk waste.
I have a 100 semi truck full of truck tires I don’t know anyone who recycles them do you
Hi Joe,
You can use this recycling search to find the nearest tire recycling facility near you. Hope this helps – thanks for commenting!
If u find some one that picks up old tires recycles them please email me. We bought a farm with lots to get rid of. Thank u penelope
i have a lot of tires to dispose of.the landfield is not accepting.i heard of a place thats uses tire for playground .i need to get rid of tires asap.
I have really decent tires I can give away for multi purpose use please contact me
Do you still have the tires, if so, what kind and size are they? How many do you have?
I work at a recycling tire center, we collect and take all tires car tires and truck tires.
What’s the location of this place?
Where do you work? I have lots of tires I need to get rid of.
where are you located?
I have probably over 1500 2000 tires have them are good we had a scrapyard here and we have a pile of tires left over
I can probably have them delivered to you
40% of the tires are good
I have about 300 tires to get moved from my property can you please help me I don’t have any money to pay for the help
Email me please, i need tires can come to collect them, old used ones
I live in ny. Where ate you located because my father has 86 normal size tires that he needs to get rid of asap?
We are looking to get rid of a huge amount of tires at my business. Please email ASAP!!!
I’m n VA Richmond I got a lot tires
I have like 500 old used tires I need to get rid of I live in athena ,oregon 5419691619
We bought an old farm and come to find out they used to work for a tire company and they let the company dump the tires on the farm. We just got rid of the garbage and now we need to get rid of the tires and then the metals. I’m trying to help the environment and had thought about using them as a bulkhead for a pond that already exist with lots of fish in it and knowing you can’t grow edible plants in them I am thinking of the fish. It would be nice to do something constructive with them but I’m not interested in a tire home knowing the break down of the chemicals in them. Just need to get rid of them like you. If you find a way please let me know.
How much are them tires because you are getting rid of them I want to know I can have them and I can make some stuff out it a garden stuff if that is okay with you
Miss Heather,
Where are you from? I have a lot of old tires all sizes willing to give away. My father in law was a tireman.
Heather where are you located? If you’re still interested in tires I have one. I need to get rid of it and unless you can use it I’ll have to pay the recycling fee. Please let me know. Thanks
Where are you located at. I have a few tires that I need to get rid of. If you want them you can contact me (Howard), at 989-745-8856. I live in Crawford county.
I have 25 tires at one of my rental houses in Rex GA if you want them.
I have a bunch of tires every size brand and cool ones to use for building something with . You know the ones that have metal spokes poking out and coming unraveled.
So call me if you want to come take as many as you like. (520) 224-7394.
Needing a place to get rid of a lot of used tires for free. I thought there were recycling centers that chopped up old tires for playground material. I live in Ohio zip code 44212 is there any place that will take them?
Hi Merlyn,
Unfortunately, most tire recycling programs are not free, but for 44212 (Brunswick in Medina County), it looks like you may be able to recycle tires through the county’s scrap tire management program – hope this is helpful, thanks for commenting!
I have about 50 car and truck tires that I want to have recycled. I will gladly pay someone to come and get them, as long as I can be sure that they will be recycled and not landfilled or dumped off somewhere. If you reply to this , pleas have some credentials.
Hi Richard,
Your tire recycling options will depend on your location – try this recycling search to find local options near you.
Hope this is helpful, thanks for reading!
I have 10 tires and live in Rhode Island to pick up 10 tires going to cost me over 300 dollars bought this home and now told cause other owner didn’t remove tires now my problem
I live on small income can’t afford to pay someone to remove someone problem
Can you help me find a place that takes tires thanks Jacalyn
Hi Jacalyn,
If disposal through the city isn’t an option for you, it may be helpful to look into all tire disposal options in your town through the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation or check out your local recycling options here.
Hope this is helpful, and thanks for reading!
I might be able to take those tires from you. email me please.
thanks.
I’m cleaning up n got bout like 20 maybe few more
Hi, Wendy,
Not sure where you are, but w have about 15 tires…various sizes from the different vehicles tht have been purchaed through the years. If you’d like them and live nearby to pick them up, please let me know.
Were is the tire recycling plant at in california
I know this is different, but id like to buy some old tires, where could I get different size tires,
I am doing some craft stuff with them and I need different sizes, pleases could you get back with me,
could you email me some phone number, in traverse , if there is any places there. Thank you
I have a back yard full of tires all sizes come get
We have about 100 truck tires we would like to get rid of but every place wants 1000s of dollars to take them
I’m looking for someone to pick up used truck tires to recycle or dispose. I have over 50 used tires. I’m in Orlando,Fl.
I’m cleaning up n got bout like 20 maybe few more
Heather wilson we have over 2000 tires of different sizes if you won’t them all for free.
Where are you located?
I have over 300 tires. Big truck and auto tires. In Arkansas. You want them?
We can’t find anyone in Seattle who recycles bias semi-truck tires. -_-
I have some old tires in elkhart in you can have
574 596 9300
Looking to get rid of around 50-75 old car and truck tires just wondering if there is any recycling place near me and what the cost would be? Or if anyone is interested in them they can have them? Located in Prattville, Al
I have over a 1000 tires an I’m in Ohio Ravenna Ohio an the county is going to fine me I have from 13 inch up to 22 inch some good an some bad an I tried used tire shops they said they don’t need any I even tried gocart places know I don’t know what to do can anyone plz help me if anyone needs pictures I can get them or a video of all the tires or send me in the right direction I would really appreciate it
We are in the process of cleaning up for my dad who was a self employed mechanic for 60 years. I don’t think he ever got rid of any of his tires! It’s going to cost a small fortune to take them to recycling. Is there any possibility that they could be sold directly to a business that re-purposes them?