ECAR Fact Sheet for Iowa
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.

Iowans generate more than 3 million waste tires each year. Proper management and disposal of waste tires is vital to ensure the quality of the environment and public health and safety.

Regulations

The state of Iowa provides clear direction on storage and disposal requirements for waste tires. Land disposal of waste tires has been prohibited since July 1, 1991. The burial or open burning of waste tires is strictly prohibited. Proper disposal of waste tires through tire recyclers and processors is the best way to ensure that waste tires are properly disposed of.

Permit Requirements: If you store more than 500 waste tires on your property or any combination of properties owned by your business, you must apply for a Waste Tire Processing/Collection Permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. There is an annual fee of $850. An authorized vehicle recycler, as licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation, may store up to 3,500 passenger tire equivalents without a waste tire stockpile permit. This is applicable to indoor, outdoor and underground storage of waste tires.

Permitted Storage Requirements. Storage of waste tires usually occurs aboveground, but occasionally occurs underground. Underground storage requires that the area be protected from water seepage or direct entry of surface or ground water. The area must be secure from entry of unauthorized people and cannot be used for storage of combustible or volatile chemicals.

Aboveground storage occurs in either an open or enclosed area, the most common being open. A permitted waste tire open storage site must meet the following requirements:

• A waste tire stockpile site shall not contain more than 250,000 passenger tire equivalents;
• No single pile can exceed 50,000 cubic feet of waste tires;
• The highest point of the pile cannot exceed 10 feet;
• A single waste tire pile shall not be more than 100 feet in length;
• The largest surface area covered by a waste tire pile cannot exceed 5,000 square feet;
• Fire lanes at least 50 feet wide must be maintained between any two tire piles
• Trees and brush shall be cleared within 50 feet of any tire pile;
• Combustible materials or volatile chemicals shall not be stored within 50 feet of any tire pile unless stored in approved fire-resistant containers or cabinets.
• A 20-pound Class ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher shall be available within 100 feet of any one portion of the tire storage areas;
• The site must be graded to prevent any standing pools of water and to limit the runoff and runon of precipitation;
• A waste tire pile must be at least 200 feet from any well, lake, pond, river, stream, sinkhole, or tile line surface intake unless appropriate grading, or the construction of a barrier, dike, or berm, is completed to intercept surface water flows that may impact such interceptors. This distance may then be reduced to 50 feet;
• The stockpile site must be secured by a fence or barrier of a minimum of 6 feet in height to impede unauthorized vehicle and personal access. All gates and entry points shall be secured and locked when site personnel are not present;
• No open burning of any type shall be allowed at the permitted stockpile site. All fueling of vehicles and equipment and any other work or activity that may release sparks or flame shall be conducted at least 50 feet from any tire storage area;
• Signs shall be posted every 100 feet on site, placed for visibility of personnel on site, and state: “Open burning on-site prohibited. ”The perimeter of the site shall be posted with signs every 100 feet, placed for visibility to those off site, that state: “Highly flammable materials on-site. Burning in area not recommended,” and
• All waste tire piles shall be located at least 300 feet from any property line, street, or public right-of-way.

Permitted aboveground storage in enclosed areas has similar requirements as above, in addition to more specific requirements, as follows:

• To qualify as an enclosed area, the area must be enclosed in a structure with a permanent roof and lateral protection to prevent precipitation from accumulating within the tires.
• An enclosed storage structure shall not contain more than 50,000 passenger tire equivalents.
• Combustible materials or volatile chemicals shall not be stored in a structure permitted for tire storage unless stored in approved fire-resistant containers or cabinets.
• A 20-pound Class ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher shall be available within 50 feet of any one portion of the tire storage areas.
• The storage structure must be secured from unauthorized access.
• No open burning of any type shall be allowed at the permitted stockpile site. All fueling of vehicles and equipment and any other work or activity that may release sparks or flame shall be conducted at least 50 feet from any tire storage area.
• The exterior of the enclosed storage area shall be posted with signs, placed every 100 feet, that state: “Highly flammable materials stored inside. Burning on-site prohibited.”

Waste Tire Processing Site Requirements. Any business or individual operating a tire processing facility shall obtain a waste tire processing permit prior to commencing such operations. Tire processing facilities shall have a site closure plan, an emergency response and remedial action plan, obtain required financial assurance, and meet minimum permit, storage and reporting requirements.

Transportation.  If you need to transport more than 40 tires, you must use a registered waste tire hauler. Haulers can only dispose of the waste tires at permitted waste tire processing facilities. Equipment used to haul waste tires must have the following marked on both sides of the vehicle in type that is easily readable from a distance:

• The name of the registered waste tire hauler under whose authority the equipment is being operated;
• The address of the registered waste tire hauler; and
• The registration number of the waste tire hauler.

For an updated list of Iowa registered tire haulers, see the link under “Other Relevant Resources.”

Disposal. Waste tires are banned from disposal in Iowa sanitary landfills unless the tires have first been cut into pieces that are not more than 18 inches on any one side. Facilities that may accept waste tires for a fee include recycling centers and sanitary landfills (for recycling). See the link below to Permitted Waste Tire Processing and Storage Facilities under Other Relevant Resources.

Recordkeeping. Permitted stockpile facilities, permitted processing and waste tire haulers must meet reporting requirements. If you have a waste tire storage permit, you are required to submit a semiannual report, and must include the following information:

• Total quantity of waste tires received during the reporting period.
• Quantity of waste tires received from in-state and out-of-state sources.
• Quantity of waste tires stored at the time of reporting.
• Quantity of waste tires removed during the reporting period, with determinations of quantities of product delivered to identified in-state and out-of-state markets or sites.
• Quantity of processed material currently stored, by product type.

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

Iowa Waste Tire Management Requirements

Iowa Waste Tire Land Disposal Prohibitions

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 licensed? If you store more than 500 waste tires, you are required to have a Waste Tire Processing/Collection Permit from the DNR. There is an annual fee of $850. Check with your state, local city or town to determine what licensing requirements and other rules or regulations you must comply with.
2. How many tires are stored? Store as few tires as possible. If you store more than 500 tires, a storage permit is required. Store waste tires in accordance with state law as it pertains to above and below ground storage. Store the tires in accordance with applicable regulations and local fire department requirements for storing combustible material. Send tires to an approved disposal or recycling facility.
3. Is your facility in compliance with applicable laws and regulations? Make sure that you incorporate good management practices, prevent unpermitted discharge of pollutants to the environment, and not create a public nuisance.

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 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 Region 7 Environmental Protection Agency at 913-551-7020, or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at 515-281-8941.
2. To report a spill or leak, call the Iowa hotline at 515-281-8694 as soon as possible but not later than 6 hours after the onset or discovery of the spill or leak.  If the release involves EPA-regulated material and the amount released is above EPA reportable quantities, it must also be reported to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 within 15 minutes.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the Iowa DNR.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Iowa Waste Tire Website
2. Iowa Waste Tire Guidance Document – Iowa Waste Reduction Center
3. Iowa Registered Waste Haulers
4. Iowa Waste Hauler Registration Information
5. Iowa Permitted Waste Tire Processing and Storage Facilities
6. Iowa Waste Tire Storage Permit Application

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