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What to Do with Old Tires
With our 17,000 trucks, we know about used tire disposal. Review some do's and don'ts before deciding how to recycle or dispose of your old tires.Byline: BTB Editor
January 6, 2025 / Time to read: 5 min
In the U.S., cars produce about
With the fifth largest vocational fleet in the nation and
You have a few options when dealing with old tires: recycling, disposal or even repurposing. Review our list of do's and don'ts for proper tire disposal.
DO Preserve Existing Tires
First up on our list of do's and don'ts: Maintain your existing tires to reduce the need for replacements. Check your tire pressure once a month, rotate tires every 4,000 miles, balance wheels and maintain proper wheel alignment. To further extend the life of your tires, consider taking public transportation or carpooling when you can.
You can also retread tires, which can save roughly
DON’T Recycle Tires at Home
While tires can be recycled, they require special handling and can’t be recycled through your curbside program. This means you should never place tires in your recycling cart at home. Instead, recycle tires through a professional handler.
DO Recycle Tires with Professionals
Take the time to find where to recycle tires in your area or look for a local tire collection event. According to the EPA, markets exist for over
Recycling tires preserves landfill space as well as key materials, since new resources aren’t needed to make recycled products like rubberized asphalt. You can learn more about tire recycling at
DON’T Throw Away Tires with Curbside Trash
Tires can’t be thrown away curbside. When you can no longer use your old tires, don’t place them in the trash or at the curb for bulk waste collection. Because they can cause uneven settlement and harm landfill covers, many states
Tire piles also pose
DO Dispose of Tires with Professional Handlers
Tires always require special handling. If you’re changing your car tires at a tire dealer, always ask about their tire disposal services. Tire dealers usually offer used tire disposal services for a fee.
If that isn’t an option, contact your county or local waste provider to ask if they’ll accept used tires for disposal. Some landfills accept tires, but it depends on local regulations — so make sure to call your specific provider before taking tires to a landfill.
Reduce, Reuse and Repurpose Tires
Help mitigate the environmental effects of tire waste by taking care of your existing tires and recycling and disposing of tires properly. Preserving tires with strategies like retreading can also save you money in the long run.
You can also get creative with your old tires by repurposing them at home. Consider building a tire swing, planter or unique outdoor chair using worn tires. You can also
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