Waste Tire Program

Materials Management Program Main Page

The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) Division of Solid Waste Management's (DSWM) Tennessee Waste Tire Program ensures that waste tires are collected, transported, processed, and reused or disposed of in a manner that protects public health and the environment. These requirements are established under the Solid Waste Management Act (T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 211).

What Residents Need to Know

Under T.C.A. 68-211-865(a), whole, unshredded tires may not be landfilled in Tennessee. Tire disposal must occur at a permitted processing facility or a county waste tire collection site.

Each county is required under T.C.A. 68-211-867(a) to provide at least one waste tire collection site for residents and businesses.

Find your nearest collection site on our County Waste Tires Collection Sites phone list.

These counties have not responded to requests for updated information.

Improper tire disposal can cause:

  • Fires that are difficult to extinguish
  • Mosquito-breeding habitat from trapped water
  • Soil and groundwater contamination
  • Blight and increased cleanup costs for communities

Illegal dumping of tires is prohibited under T.C.A. 39-14-502 et seq. (Litter Control and Prevention).

Requirements for Retailers and Tire Dealers

Under T.C.A. 67-4-1610, a pre-disposal fee is assessed on each new tire sold at retail in Tennessee.

Fee Allocation (T.C.A. 67-4-1610(b))

  • $0.10 retained by the dealer
  • $1.00 remitted to the county of origin
  • $0.25 remitted to TDEC for statewide waste tire management

Dealers must remit fees according to Department of Revenue procedures.
 

Tennessee assesses an additional Tire Environmental Fee on new vehicles registered in the state, under T.C.A. 68-211-825(b).

Revenue supports the Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP) to promote recycling and beneficial end uses.

County Responsibilities

  • Provide at least one waste tire collection site (T.C.A. 68-211-867)
  • Ensure waste tires are properly stored and managed (T.C.A. 68-211-866)
  • Transport waste tires only to permitted processors or approved end uses
  • Report waste tire activities as required by TDEC

Counties may also establish local fees to manage commercial quantities of tires (T.C.A. 68-211-867(c)).
 

Counties may use:

  • Pre-disposal fee revenue (T.C.A. 67-4-1610)
  • Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP) grants (T.C.A. 68-211-826)
  • TDEC technical assistance

Requirements for Haulers

Under T.C.A. 68-211-1102, any person engaged in the business of hauling waste tires in Tennessee must register annually with TDEC.


Requirements (T.C.A. 68-211-1102):

  • Annual registration with TDEC
  • $100 annual registration fee (allocated to the Solid Waste Management Fund)
  • Financial assurance (performance bond or equivalent), scaled to hauling activity
  • Delivery of tires only to approved processors or end-use markets
  • Compliance with transport, storage, and recordkeeping standards

Hauler registration is part of the Waste Tire Management Program established under Part 11 of Title 68, Chapter 211.
 

Requirements for Processors

Under T.C.A. 68-211-801 through 68-211-817, waste tire processing facilities are regulated as Recovered Materials Processing Facilities (RMPFs).

  • Submit a Recovered Materials Processing Facility Notification to TDEC (T.C.A. 68-211-802)
  • Maintain financial assurance as required by T.C.A. 68-211-802(h)
  • Follow storage, fire prevention, and operating standards
  • Ensure material is sent to an approved end-use or disposal site

Beneficial End Uses for Waste Tires

Beneficial end uses are authorized under T.C.A. 68-211-825 and include:

  • Tire-derived fuel (TDF) for permitted industrial facilities
  • Tire-derived aggregate (TDA) for engineered applications
  • Crumb rubber production
  • Civil engineering uses approved by TDEC
  • Other uses reviewed on a case-by-case basis under T.C.A. 68-211-825(d)

TEAP grants support developement of new end-use markets.

Grants and Market Development (TEAP)

The Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP), established under T.C.A. 68-211-825 through 68-211-828, provides grants to:

  • Increase tire recycling and processing capacity
  • Prevent illegal dumping
  • Expand beneficial reuse markets
  • Improve infrastructure for waste tire management

Grant opportunities are released annually.

Contacts
Paul Pleiman
Waste Tires Coordinator
615-829-3698
Paul.Pleiman@tn.gov
Related Contacts
Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP)
Tire.Grant@tn.gov

This Page Last Updated: March 20, 2026 at 2:02 PM