How to Get Rid of Old Tires in Toledo
Getting rid of old tires is one of those tasks that seems simple until you try to do it. You cannot put tires in your regular trash. Most dumpster rental companies will not accept them. And dumping them is illegal in Ohio with fines starting at $500. Tires require specific disposal channels because they do not decompose in landfills and create fire and environmental hazards when stockpiled. Here is how to properly dispose of tires in the Toledo area.
Why tires need special disposal
Ohio regulates tire disposal because improperly discarded tires create real problems:
- Mosquito breeding: Tires collect rainwater and create ideal breeding pools for mosquitoes, including species that carry West Nile virus and other diseases
- Fire hazard: Tire fires are extremely difficult to extinguish, produce toxic smoke, and can burn for months. The chemicals released contaminate soil and groundwater
- Landfill issues: Whole tires do not compact well in landfills. They trap gases, work their way back to the surface over time, and take up disproportionate space
Ohio law (ORC 3734.85) prohibits disposing of whole scrap tires in a sanitary landfill. Tires must be processed (shredded or split) before landfilling, or sent to a licensed tire recycler.
Tire shops and auto service centers
The easiest way to dispose of a few tires is through a tire shop or auto service center. When you buy new tires, the shop almost always includes disposal of the old tires as part of the installation fee. If you already have the tires off the vehicle:
- Call local tire shops and ask if they accept tires for disposal. Many do, for a per-tire fee that typically ranges from $3 to $10 per passenger car tire
- Truck tires, tractor tires, and other oversized tires cost more to dispose of and not all shops accept them. Call ahead
- National chains (Discount Tire, Tire Rack installation partners, Walmart Auto Center) as well as independent shops in the Toledo area are options. Pricing and willingness to accept walk-in tire disposal varies by location
Lucas County transfer station
The Lucas County Solid Waste Management District accepts scrap tires from residents at the transfer station. Check the current policy before going:
- There may be a limit on the number of tires per visit (commonly 4-10 tires per household)
- Fees apply per tire. Passenger car tires are the cheapest; truck and oversized tires cost more
- Tires must be off the rims in most cases, though some facilities accept tires on rims for an additional fee
- Verify current hours, fees, and requirements by contacting the Solid Waste District before hauling tires there
Tire recycling
Tire recycling processes old tires into useful materials rather than simply disposing of them:
- Crumb rubber: Tires are shredded into small granules used for playground surfacing, athletic track material, artificial turf infill, and rubber mulch for landscaping
- Tire-derived fuel: Shredded tires are used as fuel in cement kilns, paper mills, and power plants. Tires have a high energy content (similar to coal) and are a recognized supplemental fuel source
- Retreading: Commercial truck tires in good structural condition can be retreaded — the old tread is removed and new tread is applied. This extends the tire's life significantly and is standard practice in the trucking industry
Some tire recyclers in the northwest Ohio region accept tires directly from consumers, sometimes at lower cost than tire shops or the transfer station. Search for tire recycling facilities near Toledo for current options.
Large quantities of tires
If you have a large number of tires to dispose of — from a property cleanout, an abandoned property, a farm, or a business — the per-tire approach at a tire shop or transfer station may not be practical:
- Tire collection events: Lucas County and surrounding counties occasionally hold tire amnesty or collection events where residents can bring a larger number of tires for free or reduced-cost disposal. Watch for announcements from the Solid Waste District, especially in spring and fall
- Licensed tire haulers: Ohio licenses scrap tire transporters. A licensed hauler can pick up a large quantity of tires and transport them to a recycling or processing facility. This is the standard approach for commercial quantities
- Junk removal service: A junk removal company can pick up tires along with other items being removed from a property. This is especially practical during property cleanouts where tires are mixed in with other debris and junk
Tires on rims
If your tires are still mounted on rims, you have a couple of options:
- Separate them: A tire shop can break tires off rims (dismounting) for a small fee per tire. You can then dispose of the tires through any of the channels above and keep or scrap the rims separately. Aluminum rims have scrap metal value
- Dispose together: Some disposal facilities accept tires on rims but charge a higher fee. The rim adds processing complexity since it must be separated before the tire can be recycled or shredded
What not to do with old tires
- Do not dump them: Illegal tire dumping in Ohio can result in fines, cleanup costs billed to you, and criminal charges for larger quantities. Dumped tires on your property (even if someone else put them there) can result in code violations and required cleanup at your expense
- Do not burn them: Burning tires is illegal in Ohio and produces toxic black smoke containing heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and other hazardous chemicals. Tire fires also attract regulatory and fire department attention quickly
- Do not put them in dumpsters: Most dumpster rental companies explicitly prohibit tires in their containers. If you put tires in a rented dumpster, you will likely be charged an overage or penalty fee and the tires may be returned to you
Tire removal in Toledo
If you have old tires on your property in Toledo and need them removed — whether a few tires from a garage cleanup or a pile from a property cleanout — iHaul Junk Removal Toledo picks up and properly disposes of scrap tires as part of our junk removal service.