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How to Recycle Tires
Rubber tires with steel belts. USTMA's 2023 ELT Management Report put about 79% of scrap tires into recycling or other beneficial use. Many states restrict landfill disposal; shops collect a small fee to send scrap tires to processors that make crumb rubber, asphalt rubber, or tire-derived fuel.
Check local acceptanceUsually a disposal fee at retailers (often about $2-$5 per tire). Quality used tires with good tread may sell before recycling. Bare tires rarely pay the DIY dropper.Last reviewed July 31, 2026
Quick answer
Scrap tires are recycled into crumb rubber, asphalt rubber, and tire-derived fuel. USTMA reports about 79% of U.S. end-of-life tires reached beneficial markets in 2023. They are not curbside recyclable. Take them to a tire shop or auto center (often about $2-$5 each), a scrap-tire collection event, or a county facility. Many states restrict landfill disposal; rules vary by state. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Usually a disposal fee at retailers (often about $2-$5 per tire). Quality used tires with good tread may sell before recycling. Bare tires rarely pay the DIY dropper.
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Remove from wheels/rims if possible (increases scrap options for the rim)
- 2Clean off excess dirt, mud, and debris with water
- 3Check for and remove any embedded nails, screws, or metal objects
- 4Inspect for sidewall damage or tread wear to assess reuse potential
- 5Keep tires dry during storage to prevent water pooling
- 6Stack similar-sized tires together for efficient transport
- 7Ask the retailer about the per-tire recycling fee before drop-off
Where to Recycle
- Tire retailers (Discount Tire, Firestone, Goodyear, NTB)
- Auto service centers and quick-lube shops
- Scrap tire dealers and recycling facilities
- Municipal transfer stations (may charge $2-10 per tire)
- Walmart, Costco, and big box retailers with auto centers
Special Instructions
Tire retailers commonly charge about $2-$5 per tire to recycle take-offs when you buy new ones. Do not stockpile tires outdoors. They hold water and breed mosquitoes. Landfill bans and retailer take-back rules are common but state-specific; do not assume a single national landfill ban. Never burn tires yourself.
Environmental Impact
Whole scrap tires take decades to break down and create fire and mosquito hazards when stockpiled. USTMA notes U.S. scrap-tire stockpiles fell from over 1 billion tires around 1990 to under 48 million by 2023. Processors recover steel belting and rubber for playground surfaces, athletic tracks, asphalt rubber, and tire-derived fuel at permitted facilities.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Retread quality tires for continued road use (saves most of the casing material)
- Donate used tires with good tread to mechanics or individuals
- Use for farm/ranch applications (livestock feeders, silage covers)
- Creative reuse: planters, swings, gym equipment, erosion control
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Passenger car tires (all sizes)
- Light truck and SUV tires
- Motorcycle and scooter tires
- Trailer tires and temporary spare tires
- Run-flat and performance tires
- Winter/snow tires and all-season tires
Not Accepted
- Large truck tires over 24.5 inches (require commercial recycling)
- Agricultural or heavy equipment tires
- Tires filled with foam or tire sealant
- Tires still mounted on wheels (unless paying wheel recycling fee)
- Cut or shredded tire pieces
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Usually a disposal fee at retailers (often about $2-$5 per tire). Quality used tires with good tread may sell before recycling. Bare tires rarely pay the DIY dropper.
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Hazardous Components
- Carbon black (potential carcinogen in manufacturing)
- Steel belting and wire
- Synthetic rubber compounds
- Sulfur compounds from vulcanization
- Chemical additives and accelerants
FAQs
Can I legally throw away old tires?
Usually no. Many states ban or restrict scrap tires from regular trash and landfills. Use a tire shop, transfer station, or scrap-tire event. Check your state and county rules.
What share of U.S. scrap tires get recycled?
USTMA reports about 79% of end-of-life tires reached recycling or other beneficial markets in 2023 (crumb rubber, asphalt, tire-derived fuel, and related uses). Older blog figures from 2017 are outdated.
What's the difference in value between tires with and without rims?
Bare tires are simpler for scrap-tire processors. Tires left on rims may cost more to process, but aluminum rims have separate scrap value if you demount them.
How do I know if my used tires are worth selling vs recycling?
Check tread depth: 4/32 inch or more may have resale value. Below 2/32 inch recycle them. Also check for sidewall damage, age (avoid tires over 6 years old for road use), and even wear.
What products are made from recycled tires?
Playground surfaces, running tracks, rubber mulch, asphalt rubber, automotive parts, and tire-derived fuel at permitted plants.
Can I recycle tires with tire sealant or foam inside?
Often no. Sealants and foams contaminate processing. Ask the facility before you haul them.
Is it better to retread tires or recycle them?
Retreading sound commercial casings saves most of the material in a new tire. Most passenger tires are recycled rather than retreaded.
Why do tire shops charge disposal fees?
Collection, transport, and processing cost money. The fee funds legal recycling instead of illegal dumping.
Can I burn old tires for heat or disposal?
Never burn tires yourself. It's illegal and toxic. Only permitted tire-derived fuel facilities may burn them under controls.
How are truck tires different for recycling?
Large truck and OTR tires need commercial processors. Call ahead; passenger-tire programs often refuse them.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Antifreeze/Coolant
- How to recycle Motor Oil
- How to recycle Brake Fluid
- How to recycle Car Batteries
- How to recycle Catalytic Converters
- How to recycle Used Oil Filters
- How to recycle Transmission Fluid
- How to recycle Spark Plugs & Engine Components
- How to recycle Automotive Glass
- How to recycle Automotive Belts & Hoses
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