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Tires are one of the most regulated waste items in the United States. Most dumpster providers prohibit tires entirely, and nearly every state has specific tire disposal laws. This guide covers your legal disposal options, recycling programs, and costs.
Tires are banned from most landfills and roll-off dumpsters due to environmental and safety concerns. Whole tires trap methane gas in landfills, creating fire hazards and breeding grounds for mosquitoes. However, tires are highly recyclable: they can be converted into playground surfaces, rubberized asphalt, fuel, and many other products. Proper disposal is both a legal requirement and an environmental responsibility.
Accepted with surcharge by some providers. Always ask before loading.
May be accepted with surcharge. Confirm with provider.
Rims must be removed before recycling. Most recyclers charge extra for tires with rims attached.
Oversized tires require specialized recycling facilities. Contact a commercial tire dealer.
Too large for standard disposal. Specialized shredders required. Contact your tire dealer or the equipment manufacturer.
Bulk tire disposal requires a licensed tire hauler. State regulations govern storage and transport of large tire quantities.
Recommended container sizes based on typical tires project scope.
10 Yard
12' x 8' x 3.5' | 1 ton
If your provider allows tires, a small dumpster is sufficient since tire disposal is typically limited to a few tires mixed with other debris.
View Size Details15 Yard
16' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 1.5 tons
Small garage or shop cleanout that includes a limited number of accepted tires alongside other waste.
View Size DetailsAverage weight: 20 - 35 lbs per passenger tire
Individual tires are not extremely heavy: a standard passenger car tire weighs 20-25 lbs, and a light truck tire weighs 30-35 lbs. The issue with tires is not weight but disposal regulations and the challenges they create at landfills. Most dumpster providers either prohibit tires entirely or charge a per-tire surcharge that varies with local landfill fees.
Before loading any tires into a dumpster, call your provider to confirm whether tires are accepted and what the surcharge is. Loading prohibited items can delay pickup and result in additional fees.
Tires should be off the rim for both dumpster disposal and recycling. Metal rims can be sold as scrap metal or recycled separately.
When purchasing new tires, most retailers (Discount Tire, Tire Rack, Costco, Walmart) will dispose of your old tires for a small fee or free with purchase. This is often the easiest and cheapest option.
Dedicated tire recycling facilities accept tires for a small per-tire fee (typically $1-$5). Search for tire recyclers in your area or check with your local waste authority.
48 states have specific tire disposal laws. Most prohibit whole tires from landfills. Fines for illegal tire dumping range from $500 to $25,000 per incident.
Most states require tire retailers to accept old tires when selling new ones, either free or for a small disposal fee funded by a state tire fee ($1-$5 per tire at purchase).
Stockpiling more than a specified number of tires (varies by state, often 50-100) without a permit is illegal and can result in significant fines.
Some states require scrap tire haulers to be licensed and to maintain manifests tracking tire loads from pickup to final processing.
Approximately 300 million tires are discarded annually in the U.S. Thanks to recycling programs, over 80% are now recovered for beneficial uses including tire-derived fuel, rubberized asphalt, playground and athletic surfaces, and landscaping mulch.
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Common questions about disposing of tires in a dumpster.
Most dumpster providers prohibit tires or charge a per-tire surcharge. Always check with your provider before loading tires. If tires are accepted, a per-tire surcharge applies that varies by area landfill and is quoted before you book. For more than a few tires, a dedicated tire recycler or retailer take-back program is usually a better option.
Your best options are: tire retailers (most accept old tires when you buy new ones), dedicated tire recycling facilities, municipal tire collection events, and auto parts stores. Many of these options cost $1-$5 per tire. Check with your local waste authority for scheduled tire collection events.
Costs range from free to a small per-tire fee depending on the method. Tire retailers typically charge $2-$5 per tire for disposal when purchasing new tires. Dedicated recyclers charge $1-$5 per tire. Dumpster per-tire surcharges vary by area landfill and are quoted before you book. Municipal collection events may be free or low-cost.
In most states, yes: it is illegal to dispose of whole tires in regular trash or landfills. All 50 states have tire disposal regulations, and 48 have specific laws prohibiting or restricting tire landfilling. Fines for illegal tire dumping can range from $500 to $25,000.
Recycled tires are converted into many products: tire-derived fuel for cement kilns and paper mills, rubberized asphalt for roads, rubber mulch for playgrounds and landscaping, athletic surfaces and running tracks, and rubber mats and flooring. Over 80% of scrap tires in the U.S. are now recycled or recovered for energy.
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