ECAR Fact Sheet for Alaska
Used Tires

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources

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The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you.

What You Need to Know

Scrap tires provide convenient habitats for rodents. They hold water and become excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry diseases. Improperly stored tires present a fire hazard. They trap oxygen that will constantly feed the flames which emit noxious, air polluting smoke. When tires are illegally burned, oils and soot can run off and contaminate both surface and ground water.

This fact sheet will help you manage the tires stored at your facility and how to dispose of them properly.

Alaska's Solid Waste Management plan includes, but does not deal specifically with, scrap tires. Tires are generally landfilled (tire piles may not exceed one half million tires). Most local municipalities throughout Alaska, such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, accept tires at their recycling facilities, and some private recycling facilities also accept used tires. In addition, some city or borough governments in Alaska have regulations against dumping and/or a local waste management program.

Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to waste tire management.

Alaska’s Solid Waste Regulations

When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things they check to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page).

Use the following list to audit your waste tire storage areas and management procedures.

1. Are you following local government requirements? Ensure that you check with your local city or borough government about any regulations they may have against dumping and/or a local waste management program.

Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don’t explain how to do it. That’s where "best management practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for waste tire storage areas and management procedures.

• Store as few waste tires as possible at your facility.
• Schedule regular pickup for waste tires.
• Keep tires stored indoors, if possible, or keep tire piles covered in order to prevent entrapment of water.
• If waste tires cannot be processed in a timely manner, leave waste tires on the rims to avoid problems with mosquitoes until the waste tires can be managed properly.
• Do not burn or bury waste tires.

1. For more information, contact the Alaska Division of Environmental Health, Solid Waste Program, at 907-269-7644.
2. To report a spill or leak, call or fax a completed spill report form to the nearest ADEC Office at 907-269-3063 (Anchorage), 907-451-2121 (Fairbanks), 907-465-5340 (Juneau), or 800-478-9300 (after hours), or contact the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

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