Missouri generates approximately six million scrap tires annually, posing environmental and health hazards.
When illegally dumped, tires piles become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and habitats for rodents. Illegally dumped tires exposed to the elements are more difficult to recycle and expensive to clean up.
Illegal tire dumping has been a persistent problem for municipalities and the state. Some garages and retailers that generate used tires may illegally dump tires to avoid disposal fees. Some residents, wishing to avoid disposal fees at the transfer station, may dump tires illegally. In addition, municipal transfer stations are experiencing increased costs associated with managing discarded tires from residents.
Burning tires is illegal due to environmental pollution risks. Tire fires release thick black smoke and air pollutants, and ground and surface water pollution that can be harmful to human health and the environment.
What are Scrap Tires?
A scrap tire is a tire that:
- Can no longer be used as it was originally designed to be used;
- Has sat out in the elements for over a year;
- Has been cut up in some fashion; or
- Someone has placed it somewhere just to be rid of it.
(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 Bigger Picture
Legislation since 1990 addresses scrap tire management, including cleanup efforts and funding through scrap tire fees. Over 17.6 million tires from 1,386 sites have been cleaned up. Yet, challenges remain with an estimated 159,000 tires in 132 sites awaiting removal.
Missouri’s Scrap Tire Fee is a 50-cent scrap tire fee applied to the retail sale of every new tire. This fee is collected at point of sale with each new tire sold in Missouri.
For more information on scrap tire management, visit MDNR’s Scrap Tire Guidance Documents and Fact Sheets.
Disposal Options
Missouri residents can dispose of scrap tires in the following ways:
- Best practice: Your Local tire dealer
- Leave old/used tires with your local tire dealer when you get your tires changed. A fee of ($3-5) is usually charged per tire. These fees are used for scrap tire management.
- Scrap tire collection centers and events
- Bring used tires to local tire collection centers or collection events for disposal. Usually a fee of $3-5 per passenger car tire is charged.
- Some permitted transfer station or landfills will accept cut tires
- Take cut tires to the landfill or check with your curbside collector to learn if cut tires can be picked up with your normal trash. Cut tires must follow specific guidelines:
- Cut the tires through the center of the tread (like a bagel), then cut out the tire sidewalls (leaving two sidewalls and tread ring).
- Or cut into at least three parts, with no part being larger than approximately 1/3 or the original size.
- Take cut tires to the landfill or check with your curbside collector to learn if cut tires can be picked up with your normal trash. Cut tires must follow specific guidelines:
- For large quantities of tires (10+)
- Contact a permitted scrap tire hauler.
Questions about illegally dumped tires?
- Call your MDNR Regional office.
- Illegally dumping tires is a criminal offense in Missouri. Contact your local sheriff’s office or police department. They can investigate and prosecute illegal dumpers.
Solutions
Evaluating Scrap Tire Fee
Missouri’s 50-cent tire fee has not increased since it was first introduced in 1990. The fee is one of the lowest in the nation. Re-evaluating the state fee would help increase capacity for Missouri’s Scrap Tire program.
Extended Producer Responsibility
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs incentivize tire recycling and reuse. EPR laws for tires require companies to set up and operate recycling programs that make it easy for consumers to dispose of old tires, and relieve governments from the burden of managing this bulky waste.
When manufacturers assume responsibility for managing tires at the end of life, generators of used tires will no longer have to pay for disposal or recycling, therefore eliminating the primary incentive for illegal dumping. Towns and residents will save money by no longer having to pay for tire disposal. In addition, EPR will provide an incentive for tire manufacturers and recyclers to look at developing new markets for tires.
Increased Recycling Options
Missouri is home to local companies that process scrap tires into recycled products such as crumb rubber, mulch, and rubber modified asphalt. When scrap tires are brought to a local tire dealer, collection event, or transfer station, they will be managed by a permitted scrap tire hauler and processor and retreaded or recycled into products that benefit schools, businesses, and communities.
Scrap Tire Fee Reauthorization and Grants Program
During the 2019 legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly reauthorized the 50-cent scrap tire fee, enabling the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to distribute up to 45% of the fees for grants focused on scrap tire market development.
Eligible organizations can apply for funding for eligible projects through the Missouri Scrap Tire program. Application information can be found on our Tire Resources page.
