How to Dispose of Tires
Tires are banned from landfill in most US states and can't go in household waste anywhere. Expect to pay $3–$10 per tire to dispose of one — but if you're buying replacements, the shop will usually take the old ones as part of the job, and the fee is already on your invoice.
Short answer: leave them at the tire shop when you get new ones. If you already have loose tires, a tire retailer or county collection event will take them for a few dollars each.
Why tires are handled separately
Whole tires don't compact and don't stay buried — trapped air makes them work their way back to the surface of a landfill over time, which damages the cap and liner. That's why most states banned them outright.
They're also a genuine public health issue when stockpiled. Tire piles hold water and are among the most productive mosquito breeding sites there are, and tire fires burn for weeks and are extremely difficult to extinguish.
Your options
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leave them at the tire shop | Included | When buying replacements — the fee is on your invoice anyway |
| Tire retailer, loose tires | $3–$10 each | Most will take them without a purchase |
| County collection event | Free–$5 each | Often has a per-household limit |
| Transfer station / landfill | $3–$15 each | Rims usually cost extra |
| Scrap yard | $2–$8 each | Varies; some refuse tires entirely |
| Junk removal service | $5–$15 each + base rate | Only worth it alongside other junk |
The disposal fee you've already paid
Most states levy a tire disposal or "scrap tire" fee at the point of sale — usually a couple of dollars per tire, funding the state's recycling programme. If you look at your last tire invoice you'll almost certainly find it itemised.
The practical implication: when you buy new tires, leave the old ones. You've paid for their disposal. Taking them home and then paying again later is a surprisingly common mistake.
Tires on rims
Almost everywhere charges more for a tire still mounted on its rim, because it has to be dismounted before processing — commonly an extra $2–$5 per tire.
If you can get the tires off yourself, the steel or alloy rims are worth money at a scrap yard, and alloy in particular is worth having weighed separately. That flips the economics: the rims can cover the tire disposal fee.
What happens to them
Recycled tires end up in more places than most people expect: crumb rubber for sports pitches and playground surfacing, rubberised asphalt, tire-derived fuel for cement kilns, and moulded products like mats and livestock troughs. Retreading extends the life of larger truck tires.
It's one of the better-functioning recycling streams — the fee you pay is genuinely funding something.
Reuse, if they have life left
- Sell or give away part-worn tires — if there's meaningful tread and no sidewall damage, someone will take a matching pair. Be honest about tread depth and age.
- Check the age code. The DOT number on the sidewall ends in four digits — week and year of manufacture. Tires over about ten years old shouldn't be sold on regardless of tread, because the rubber degrades.
- Garden and farm reuse — planters, retaining walls, livestock feeders. Common, though worth knowing that tire rubber does leach compounds into soil over time, so it's not ideal around edible crops.
Things not to do
- Don't burn them. Tire smoke is genuinely toxic and open burning is illegal essentially everywhere.
- Don't dump them. Illegal tire dumping carries real penalties, and abandoned tires are among the most commonly prosecuted fly-tipping cases because they're traceable.
- Don't leave them outdoors uncovered. They fill with water and breed mosquitoes fast.
- Don't put them in kerbside recycling. They jam sorting equipment.
Common questions
Can I throw tires in the trash?
No. Kerbside collection won't take them, and most states ban them from landfill.
Will a tire shop take old tires without buying new ones?
Most will, for a few dollars each. Call ahead — some limit quantities, and a few only accept tires from customers.
How much does tire disposal cost?
Typically $3–$10 per tire, more if it's still on a rim. Free or nearly free at county collection events.
What about tractor or truck tires?
Substantially more — $20–$100+ each depending on size, because they need specialist handling. Agricultural tires are the most expensive. Call ahead; many facilities refuse them.
Are old tires worth anything?
Only if they're usable. Part-worn tires with good tread sell privately. Worn-out tires cost money to dispose of — there's no scrap value to the rubber itself.
Related
State landfill bans and disposal fees vary. Facility pricing and acceptance limits change. Always confirm before travelling. Last verified August 2026.