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Iowa Law and administrative rules provide clear direction on the storage and disposal requirements
for waste tires. Land disposal of waste tires has been prohibited since July 1, 1991.
The burial or open burning of waste tires is strictly prohibited.
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Quick facts on waste tire storage and disposal:
- The indoor or outdoor storage of waste tires in limited to 500 tires. Any tire storage
beyond this limit will require a permit.
- The open burning of waste tires is strictly prohibited.
- Waste tires, including whole, cut, or shredded form, may not be dumped or buried on the landscape.
- Whole waste tires (pneumatic) are banned from disposal at a sanitary landfill unless cut into
pieces of 18 inches or less. A landfill shall accept a properly processed tire for disposal.
State laws and rules regarding waste tire disposal and storage:
Frequently Asked Questions on Waste Tire Disposal
Some common questions and answers concerning waste tire disposal options are listed below,
along with related information and resources.
Can waste tires be disposed of in a landfill?
Land disposal of waste tires has been prohibited since July 1, 1991, unless the tire has
been processed so that no one piece of the tire is greater than 18 inches, as stated in
Iowa Code Chapter 455D.11. A sanitary landfill shall not refuse to accept a waste tire
that has been properly processed.
Why are waste tires banned from landfills?
Waste tires have been banned from landfills for a variety of reasons:
- They do not readily decompose within a landfill
- They are not easily compacted
- During the decomposition process within a landfill, lighter-end gases are released.
These gases can build up within the interior of the tire, making the tire gradually
"float" to the surface. This compromises the integrity of the landfill design, and
results in tires that won't stay buried.
How can I dispose of my tires properly?
You can usually dispose of your waste tires through the tire dealer that you purchase
your new tires from. These dealers commonly have a waste tire processor/recycler pick
up their waste tires, so that the waste tires can be retreaded and recapped, and put on
the road again, or they may be processed and recycled into other materials for beneficial
uses. Often times your tire dealer includes the price for this disposal in the price of
your new tires. If not, you may be charged a nominal fee for proper disposal of your
old tires.
Other sites that may accept waste tires for a disposal fee include:
- Recycling centers
- Sanitary landfills
- Registered Waste Tire Haulers
- Permitted Waste Tire Processors
Why do I have to pay a fee to dispose of my tires if they can be recycled or reused?
While the State of Iowa does not have a mandatory deposit or fee for disposal of a waste tire,
most sites that accept waste tires for disposal do charge a fee. Just as you pay a fee for
disposal of your household wastes, including garbage pickup, wastewater, etc., disposal of
waste tires are no different. While a waste tire has the potential to be recycled and reused
again in other products, the inputs required to break the tire down into these recyclable
components are very costly. Often times the market price for a recycled waste tire product
cannot incorporate all costs that have been associated with the production of the recycled
waste tire product, and therefore it is usually necessary for the tire recycler to collect
a "tipping fee" from the consumer or business that is disposing of the waste tire.
DNR Contact
Kirsten Duke
(515)281-3302
Kirsten.Duke@dnr.iowa.gov
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