ECAR Fact Sheet for Colorado
Waste 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

Hazards associated with waste tire piles include heavy mosquito infestations and fires. Waste tires accumulate water, which is a viable environment and ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes not only are nuisances, but also can carry and transmit disease to humans and animals.

In addition to being breeding grounds for mosquitoes, waste tires also can be easily ignited, resulting in fires that are difficult to extinguish. Tire fires can burn for several weeks, causing millions of dollars of damage including soil, surface water and groundwater contamination.

Regulations

The state of Colorado does not specifically regulate scrap tire storage, transportation or disposal for automotive salvage facilities. Colorado does regulate tire disposal facilities, but auto salvage facilities do not normally fall under this category. It is advisable to follow common sense guidelines to ensure safety and basic compliance.

Storage. Store as few tires as possible and minimize on-site tire piles. Be sure tire piles are accessible to fire and emergency vehicles.

Transportation. Transport waste tires off-site regularly to prevent large accumulations. You may self-transport, or use a permitted transporter.

Disposal. Tires should be sent to permitted recycling or disposal facilities.

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

Colorado Solid Waste Certificate of Designation for Scrap Tire Facilities

Tire Facility Reporting Form

Self-Audit Checklist

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. How many tires are stored? Store as few tires as possible and minimize on-site tire piles. Be sure tire piles are accessible to fire and emergency vehicles.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

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 by a properly permitted hauler.
• Keep tires stored indoors, if possible, or keep tire piles covered in order to prevent entrapment of water.
• If stored outdoors, store waste tires in a sunny area. (Sunlight speeds evaporation of standing water and kills heat-intolerant mosquito larvae.)
• 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.
• Clean and maintain tire processing equipment regularly. Dirty, poorly maintained equipment poses a pollution risk from greasy rainwater run-off or dripping oil.

Contacts

1. For more information, contact the Colorado Department of Health and Environment’s technical assistance line at 303-692-3320, or toll-free at 888-569-1831, if outside of the 303 area code.

2. To report a spill or leak, at minimum, call the Colorado 24-hour Emergency Spill/Release Reporting Line at 877-518-5608 and the Local Emergency Planning Committee at 303-273-1622, immediately or within 24-hours. Refer to the Spill Response Fact Sheet to determine your reporting requirements.

3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Certificate of Designation (CD) as a Solid Waste Disposal Site
2. Colorado Waste Tire Disposal and Recycling Website
3. Colorado's Automotive Salvage Yard Waste Management Practices

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