ECAR
Fact Sheet for
Connecticut
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.
The
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT-DEP) has
prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage waste
tires. Much of that information is included in the fact sheet below.
You can access the link to CT-DEP’s Auto Recycling Guide under Other
Relevant Resources.
Regulations
Waste tires are defined as a “special
waste” in Connecticut rather than municipal solid waste because
they require special handling.
Storage. You must provide adequate fire prevention and control measures
including security fencing, 50-foot-wide fire lanes, heavy-duty
fire extinguishers, and hydrants or fire ponds, and make arrangements
with local fire departments for necessary services. Store less than 10 cubic yards of
waste tires at any one time (10 cubic yards is an area 30’ long
x 3’ wide by 3’ high or approximately 70-80 tires stacked neatly).
If you store more than 10 cubic yards of tires you are required
to obtain a permit.
Recording Keeping. Maintain disposal/recycling receipts
for at least 3 years.
Transportation. Transport stored waste tires off-site regularly to prevent large accumulations.
Disposal.
Connecticut does not permit the landfilling
of waste tires either whole or in pieces. If you dispose of scrap tires, you may apply to have the requirements for daily
cover reduced to weekly cover and for waiver or reduction of surface
water or groundwater separation distances.
Scrap
tire storage or processing facilities must submit a facility plan
for on-site disposal, or a description of off-site disposal, of
all tires that the facility could hold at maximum capacity.
Most
waste tires in Connecticut are burned to create energy. Contact
the CT-DEP to obtain list of facilities.
Posting Sufficient Surety. Owners
and operators of privately owned tire storage or processing facilities
must post sufficient surety to cover the cost of disposal in accordance
with the facility plan or description in accordance with 22a-209-4(h)
RCSA. The surety must be posted no later than 60 days before tires
are accepted for storage or processing.
Links
to the Regulations and Forms. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to waste tire
management.
State Solid Waste Management Plan 22a-228-1
Solid Waste Permit Fees 22a-208a-1
Solid Waste Facility 22a-209-1 through 16
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.
- Have you kept complete and accurate records? Verify that you have maintained
complete and accurate records regarding your waste tire amounts
and storage. You may need this information to comply with the
state’s annual reporting requirements.
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
- For more information, contact the Connecticut
Bureau of Waste Management at 860-424-3021.
- To report a spill or leak, immediately call
the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection,
Oil and Chemical Response Division at 860-424-3338, 24 hours/day.
Should this number become unavailable for any reason, call 860-424-3333.
Within 24 hours of the spill you are required to complete a written Report of Petroleum
or Chemical Product Discharge.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint,
contact the nearest regional
office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
None.
Other
Relevant Resources
- Recycling And Disposal of Scrap Tires
- Connecticut
Auto Recycling Guide
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