Waste Tire Program

Where can Tennesssee residents take their old tires?

Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-211-866 (b) dictates each county shall provide directly, by contract or through a solid waste authority, at least one (1) collection site to receive and store waste tires. You can find the site available to you in your county by clicking this link.

TDEC regulates the storage, processing, and disposal of waste tires per TN Rule Chapter 0400-11-01.

Can tires be disposed of in landfills?

A landfill shall not accept whole, unshredded waste tires for disposal. Landfill operators shall segregate whole, unshredded waste tires at landfills and provide a temporary storage area for such tires until transported to an appropriate facility to be used for an approved beneficial end use as defined by T.C.A. § 68-211-867, or the tires are shredded and disposed of pursuant to subdivision (d)(2) and regulations promulgated by the board.

How can a business register as a waste tire processing facility in Tennessee? 

Waste tire processors need to submit notification to the Division of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) as a recovered materials processing facility (RMPF) and secure proper financial assurance. DSWM central office permitting staff can assist with the necessary information needed to complete the RMPF notification form.

Tire Fee Breakdown

Listed below are fees assessed on new tire or vehicle sales in Tennessee. The tire pre-disposal fee directly relates to tire disposal and is collected and allocated by the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR). The tire environmental fee is administered through the Office of Sustainable Practice’s (OSP) Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP) to fund projects that are creating or supporting beneficial end uses of waste tires in Tennessee. New tire dealers may access the necessary forms for the Department of Revenue.

• Pre-disposal fee Allocation:
         -$0.10 Dealer
         -$0.25 TDEC
         -$1.00 County of origin        
• Tire Environmental Fee (TEAP)
        -$5.00 New Automotive Sales (vehicles with four or less tires)
        -Fees assessed on vehicles with additional tires are determined according to a fee schedule obtained through OSP
• Common sources of scrap tire generation include tire dealerships, internet sales, new car sales, and mobile tire repair service (non-permanent site)                      

What regulations exist for storing and processing waste tires?

TDEC's Division of Solid Waste Management regulates the storage, processing, and disposal of waste tires per TN Rule Chapter 0400-11-01.

Does TDEC regulate or register waste tire haulers?

No, TDEC does not require specific registration for waste tire haulers nor maintain a list of them.

What are beneficial end uses for waste tires?

TDEC recognizes the following as grant eligible beneficial end uses:

• Using tire-derived fuel (tdf) in cement kilns or industrial boilers for the capture of energy.
• Production of tdf provided the Department approves of the specific end-use.
• Crumbling or pyrolysis of tire material provided the Department approves of the specific end-use.
• Civil engineering applications, such as Class I landfill construction, road construction, and subsurface sewage disposal system aggregate.

Are there any other allowable end-uses for waste tires?

TDEC's Division of Solid Waste Management may allow other end uses of waste tires that are not grant eligible on a case-by-case basis.