Waste 2 Resources > Waste Tires > Waste Tire Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q How Can I Get Rid of Unwanted Tires?
A Almost all tire recycling or disposal options will cost you money, usually charged per tire or by weight. Here are a few options:

• The best option is to leave your old tires at the tire store when you buy new ones. Those businesses have tires routinely picked up for recycling or disposal.
• Call your local landfill or transfer station to ask if they accept tires. Some of those facilities stockpile the received tires and have them regularly collected by a recycler.
• Contact a local tire hauler and ask for a cost estimate for them to come and remove large quantities from your property. This link provides a list of companies licensed to do this in Washington (see the explanation in the Fees and Licenses section).
• Research tire recycling online and ask those companies if you can drop off your tires. Those operations do not take any and all tires.
• Call the 1-800-RECYCLE (1-800-732-9253) hotline during 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Monday thru Friday (except holidays) to ask for local options.
• You can also search online using the Recycle Database.

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 What does Ecology do with the Waste Tire Removal Account funding?
A Waste Tire Removal Account funding is allocated, as funding is available, at the beginning of each fiscal year (usually sometime in July). This funding is only available to public entities, like counties, cities, districts, universities, or tribal nations. This funding is not available to nonprofits, businesses, or private individuals. Contact Kara Steward for more information ( kara.steward@ecy.wa.gov).

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.