Frequently Asked Questions

Q I haul tires from my own business to the local landfill for disposal, do I need a Waste Tire Carrier License?
A No, you do not need a Waste Tire Carrier License if your business transports waste tires generated from your own operations to the landfill (subject to the limits imposed by the landfill) for the purpose of disposal and/or recycling (for example, the landfill has them collected by a recycler).

Q I pick up tires from several businesses and take them to the local landfill for disposal, do I need a Waste Tire Carrier License?
A Yes, you need to register for a Waste Tire Carrier License and post a $10,000 bond.

Q My business conducts site cleanups, for example hulk vehicle hauling and waste tire removal, do I need a Waste Tire Carrier License?
A Yes: if there are more than 10 loose tires hauled from the site, you need to register for a Waste Tire Carrier License and post a $10,000 bond.

No: if the only tires are the ones that remain on the hulk vehicles, you do not need the Waste Tire Carrier License.

Q My business conducts tire pile site cleanups for local government, do I need a Waste Tire Carrier License?
A No, conducting tire pile cleanup for local, state, or federal government is exempt from the need for a Waste Tire Carrier License. This exemption is only valid for the work performed for the governmental authority.

Q If my tires are picked up by a company with a Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) license, do they need a Waste Tire Carrier License?
A It depends on the WUTC license they have:

• No, solid waste collection companies do not need the Waste Tire Carrier License. A solid waste collection company WUTC license starts with the letter G. Check the list of WUTC licensed solid waste collection companies.
• Yes, common carrier companies do need a Waste Tire Carrier License (and post a $10,000 bond) in order to haul waste tires. A common carrier WUTC license starts with the letters CC.

Q Which new tires need to have the fee collected?
A Examples of new retail tires that are subject to collecting the $1 fee include WAC 458-20-272:

• automobiles,
• trucks,
• recreational vehicles,
• trailers,
• all-terrain vehicles (ATVs),
• agricultural vehicles (such as tractors and combines),
• industrial vehicles (such as forklifts),
• construction vehicles (such as loaders and graders), and
• golf carts.

Examples of the tires that are not subject to the tire fee include:

• bicycles,
• wheelbarrows, and
• hand trucks.

Q Who qualifies for Ecology's Tire Cleanup Program?
A Sites that are not in the business of accepting tires (for example no auto wreckers or tire dealers) that have a "legacy" pile of 800 or more waste tires on site. Due to reduced funding in 2009, the cleanup program does not include operating businesses. A "legacy" pile of tires is considered to have been created before July 1, 2005.

Q My company has hired someone to take away the used tires. Is it my responsibility to know where they end up?
A Yes. First you need to make sure the tires are picked up by a licensed hauler (either a waste tire carrier license or a UTC garbage hauler). As the generator of the waste tire, you are responsible for the final disposition. Inquire with your hauler and follow up on what they say.