How to Dispose of Old Tires: 7 Options (Free to $20 Each)

The best option depends on how many tires you have and whether you can transport them:

The most convenient time to dispose of old tires is when you buy new ones. Virtually every tire retailer — Discount Tire, Firestone, Goodyear, Mavis, NTB, Walmart Auto, and most independent shops — will take your old tires when they install new ones.

Cost: Usually free or $1–$5 per tire. Many include a tire disposal fee in the installation invoice, so you may already be paying for it.

State recycling fees: Some states mandate a tire recycling fee paid at the time of purchase. For example, Wisconsin charges $5 per tire; other states charge $0.25–$10 per tire (Utires.com). This fee funds state tire recycling programs and makes retailer take-back essentially free at point of purchase.

Limitation: This only works when you're buying new tires at the same shop. Most retailers won't accept loose old tires from previous vehicles unless you're purchasing something.

Many tire shops and auto parts stores accept loose old tires for recycling, even if you're not buying anything — often for a small fee.

Tire shops (Firestone, Goodyear, local shops): Most accept used tires for $2–$10 per tire. Call ahead, as policies vary by location and state.

Auto parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto): Some accept old tires for recycling; others refer you to a dedicated tire recycler. Policies vary by location — call your local store.

Finding a recycler: Search "tire recycling near me" or "scrap tire drop-off [your city]." The EPA's guidelines and most state environmental agencies maintain directories of certified tire recycling facilities.

Tire condition doesn't matter: Shredded, flat, or completely worn tires are accepted. The recycler will shred and process them regardless of condition.

Many counties and cities run periodic tire collection events — typically free and accepting any quantity of passenger and light truck tires. These events are often held quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

How to find them: Search "[your county] tire collection event" or check your county's solid waste management website. Many municipalities advertise these events on their public works or environmental services pages.

What's accepted: Standard passenger tires (typically any quantity). Some events limit commercial truck tires or tractor tires.

Limitation: You need to plan ahead — events are infrequent, and dates vary. If you have a handful of tires and can wait a month or two, a free municipal event is ideal.

Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) example: Their program specifically directs residents to recycle tires through their tire retailer at time of purchase, noting there are "no free disposal options for scrap tires" outside purchase events — so check local specifics.

If you have a large quantity of tires — 20, 50, 100 or more — a commercial scrap tire hauler may pick them up free or for a small per-tire fee. This is common for:

• •Farms cleaning up old tire piles
• •Auto shops with tire stockpiles
• •Property cleanouts involving tire collections

Finding haulers: Search "scrap tire hauler [state]" or contact your state's environmental agency — most maintain lists of licensed tire haulers. In many states, it's illegal to transport scrap tires without a hauler permit, so using a licensed service is important.

Cost: Often free for 20+ tires because the hauler can sell shredded rubber as TDP (tire-derived fuel) or crumb rubber for athletic surfaces and playground equipment. For smaller quantities, expect $1–$5 per tire.

What happens to recycled tires: Scrap tires are shredded into TDF (tire-derived fuel) used in cement kilns and pulp mills, ground into crumb rubber for artificial turf and playground surfaces, or devulcanized and reprocessed into new rubber products.

In most states, no. Whole tires are banned from municipal landfills in virtually all U.S. states because they trap methane gas, create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and are a severe fire hazard — tire fires are nearly impossible to extinguish and can burn for months.

State laws: As of 2026, most states have laws banning whole scrap tires from landfills. Some states allow shredded or quartered tires in landfills; whole tires are almost universally banned.

Dumpsters: Most dumpster rental companies prohibit tires in roll-off containers, even if they accept other types of debris. Always check with your rental company. If discovered, you may be charged a surcharge of $20–$50 per tire.

Illegal dumping: Dumping tires on roadsides or in vacant lots is illegal and carries significant fines — typically $100–$1,000+ per tire depending on state and local ordinances.

The legal path is easy: Tire shops, municipal events, and retail drop-off make legal tire disposal straightforward and usually free or low-cost.

Different tire disposal scenarios call for different solutions:

Replacing tires on your car: The simplest scenario. When the shop installs your new tires, they handle the old ones. Disposal is usually included in the installation fee or charged as a $2–$5 per-tire fee. You never touch the old tires.

One or two loose tires from a spare or old vehicle: Call local tire shops — most accept 1–4 passenger tires for $5–$10 each. AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts sometimes accept small quantities too. This is fast and low-cost.

Four or more tires from a vehicle sold or scrapped: Municipal tire collection events are the best free option. If there's not one coming up soon, call 2–3 local tire shops for pricing. Expect $5–$10 per tire.

Farm, property, or business with 20+ tires: Contact a licensed scrap tire hauler. Many will remove large quantities for free (they profit from selling shredded rubber). Your state's environmental agency website maintains a list of licensed haulers. In some states, accumulating more than a certain number of scrap tires without proper registration is illegal.

Tires from a vehicle junkyard or fleet: Commercial tire recyclers can process hundreds or thousands of tires. They charge $0.25–$2.00 per tire depending on quantity and tire size. Commercial truck tires (semi tires) typically cost more to recycle than passenger tires.

Can tires be donated? Rarely. Tires with significant remaining tread (50%+ tread depth) may be accepted by some charities or community organizations that refurbish donated vehicles. Retreaders also accept tires with thick remaining tread. Call local retreading shops if your tires are nearly new.