ECAR Fact Sheet for Hawaii
Waste Tires

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

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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.

Regulations

In Hawaii, scrap tires are considered a "special waste", which is a solid waste that, because of its source or physical, chemical, or biological characteristics, require special consideration for its proper processing or disposal, or both.

Prohibitions. It is illegal to dispose of whole motor vehicle tires in mixed municipal solid waste, or discard or otherwise dispose of a motor vehicle tire, except by delivery to any motor vehicle tire retailer, tire wholesaler, or to an authorized tire collection or authorized tire recycler.

Motor vehicle tires - collection for recycling. Tire retailers shall accept, at the point of transfer, in a quantity at least equal to the number of new motor vehicle tires purchased by a customer, motor vehicle tires offered by the customer. Retailers shall post a written notice, at least five inches by seven inches in size and easily visible to customers, and shall contain the universal recycling symbol and the following language:

• "It is illegal to discard a motor vehicle tire";
• "Recycle your used tires";
• "State law requires us to accept used motor vehicle tires for recycling or disposal, in exchange for new tires purchased"; and
• "The final price of a new tire includes disposal of your old tire. The disposal fee is not subject to reduction or refund."

Motor vehicle tire wholesalers. Any person selling new motor vehicle tires at wholesale shall accept at the point of transfer, in a quantity at least equal to the number of new tires purchased by a customer, used motor vehicle tires offered by the customer. A motor vehicle tire wholesaler accepting used tires in transfer from a motor vehicle tire retailer shall be allowed a period not to exceed ninety days to remove used tires from the retail point of collection. Accumulation of those tires at the retail point of collection shall not exceed two hundred fifty tires, unless the retail point of collection is an authorized tire collection facility, and the tires shall be stored in a manner consistent with fire prevention and vector control.

Registration and recordkeeping requirements. All facilities that accept used tires, including but not limited to tire retailers, wholesalers, transporters, collectors, and recyclers, shall maintain, for a minimum of three years, records that provide, at least, the following information:

• The name, phone number, and address of the person, company, business, source, or entity from whom the used tires were received, if receiving used tires from entities other than the general public, such as tire retailers, wholesalers, transporters, collectors, and recyclers;
• The date of receipt of the used tires;
• The quantity of used tires received; and
• The record of shipment indicating the:
  • Ultimate destination of the used tires;
  • Identification of the transporter;
  • Date of shipment; and
  • Quantity of tires shipped.

A summary of the information shall be submitted to the department by July 31 of each year, listing the total quantity of used tires collected and the ultimate disposition of the used tires.

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

Hawaii's Scrap Tire Management Requirements (HRS, Chapter 3421)

Hawaii's Solid Waste Management Requirements

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. Are you properly disposing of your scrap tires? Do not dispose of whole motor vehicle tires in mixed municipal solid waste, or discard or otherwise dispose of, except by delivery to any motor vehicle tire retailer, tire wholesaler, or to an authorized tire collection or authorized tire recycler.
2. Are you complying with all recordkeeping requirements? Keep required records for a minimum of three years.
3. Are you completing the required annual report, call the "Motor Vehicle Tire Recovery Summary? It is available at http://www.hawaii.gov/health/environmental/waste/sw/index.html

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.
• 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.

Contacts

1. For more information, contact the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch, Hazardous Waste Section at (808) 586-4226.
2. To report a spill or leak, or to report an environmental incident or complaint, call the Hawaii Department of Health Office of Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response 24-hour hotline at 808-247-2191, or 808-586-4249 during regular office hours.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Model Waste Tire Acceptance & Removal Documentation Form
2. Directory of Environmental Businesses in Hawaii, 2000
3. Hawaii Recycling Industry Guide

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