Management of Scrap Tires - PUB2056

What is a scrap tire?

In general, a scrap tire is a tire that is:

• No longer suitable for its original, intended purpose due to wear, damage or defect
• Cut, shredded or chipped
• Stored outdoors for over one year
• Discarded with the intent of final disposal

(Refer to Section 260.200 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and Chapter 8 of Title 10, Division 80 of the Code of State Regulations (10 CSR 80-8) for specific definitions and exclusions.) The Code of State Regulations is available on the web .

Where can scrap tires be taken?

Scrap tires may be taken:

• A local tire retail store (regulated as a scrap tire collection center by 10 CSR 80-8.020)
• A permitted scrap tire processor (regulated by 10 CSR 80-8.050)
• A permitted sanitary landfill - if the scrap tire is cut in half circumferentially (like a bagel) or cut into thirds
• Household trash dumpster - if the scrap tire is cut in half circumferentially (like a bagel) or cut into thirds. Coordinate with a trash hauling service.
• Another state - provided the tires are managed in compliance with that state’s requirements

Note: It is illegal to burn tires in Missouri except at facilities approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Uncontrolled burning of tires can pollute our air, water and groundwater.
 

How are scrap tires regulated in Missouri?

Current regulations require some individuals and businesses to register or obtain a permit to haul, process or store scrap tires. The following are some guidelines:

• Scrap Tire Hauler
  If you haul scrap tires for money or other consideration, you must have a scrap tire hauler permit. The permit requires a $100 application fee and must be renewed each year. A scrap tire hauler must not store scrap tires in excess of seven consecutive days. Refer to 10 CSR 80-8.030 for the specific requirements and required forms for a scrap tire hauler. For an application, contact the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Motor Carrier Services Unit at 573-751-3358.
   
• Scrap Tire Collection Center
  If you are a retailer or wholesaler of new tires, or a landfill or transfer station, and you store 25 or more scrap tires as a part of your business, you must comply with the regulations for a collection center. Please refer to 10 CSR 80-8.020 for the specific requirements and required forms for a collection center.
   
• Scrap Tire Processor
  If you shred, cut, chip, bale, or otherwise alter scrap tires to facilitate recycling, resource recovery, or disposal, and you ever accumulate 25 or more scrap tires, you must obtain a scrap tire processor permit. If you ever accumulate 500 or more scrap tires, you must also establish a financial assurance instrument. The permit requires a $200 application fee and a permit review fee of up to $2,000 each. A permit is issued for the life of the facility. Refer to 10 CSR 80-8.050 for the specific requirements for a scrap tire processor.
   
• Scrap Tire End-User
  If you use scrap tires as a fuel or fuel supplement; in the manufacture of a product for resale; as shock absorbing playground cover or in running tracks; or in beneficial ways such as soil erosion abatement, you may need to register as a scrap tire end-user. Please refer to 10 CSR 80-8.060 for the specific requirements and required forms for a scrap tire end-user.
   
• Beneficial Use Exemptions
  Any projects using more than 100 tires require written approval from the Department prior to implementation. However, the following types of projects are not regulated if they use less than 100 tires and pollution, a public nuisance or a health hazard is not created.
  • A person may use scrap tires for abatement of soil erosion, drainage purposes, or to secure covers over silage, hay, straw or other agricultural products. Use of over 100 scrap tires for soil erosion abatement or drainage must be part of an engineered structure, be properly held in place and be approved by the Department and the property owner prior to implementation.
  • Tires reused for recreational or structural purposes must comply with the vector control and fire protection requirements of the scrap tire rules.
  • Tires to be reused as vehicle tires without further processing and retreadable tire  casings held by tire retreaders for retreading are not regulated under the scrap tire rules if the tires are separated from scrap tires within seven days of receipt and are not stored outdoors for over one year. However, these tires must be stored in compliance with the storage requirements of the scrap tire rules.

This document is intended to provide general information concerning the management of scrap tires. Specific requirements are contained in the Solid Waste Management Law and in the Solid Waste Management Rules and Regulations.  Questions should be addressed to your local Missouri Department of Natural Resources regional office or to the Waste Management Program at 573-751-5401. In addition to these state requirements, counties or municipalities may have additional requirements for management of scrap tires. Contact the county or municipal agency directly to learn of these requirements.