ECAR Fact Sheet for Illinois
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

Disposal of used and waste tires is one of the biggest solid waste issues facing automotive recyclers. Used tires pose a significant threat to public health and the environment. Waste tire piles provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which may cause disease, and they also present a serious fire hazard.

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

Regulations

In early 1992, new regulations were established regarding used tires in Illinois. At a minimum, Illinois law requires businesses that store over 50 used tires on their property to so notify the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA). The agency defines a "used tire" is a worn, damaged, or defective tire that is not mounted on a vehicle wheel rim. A "waste tire" is a used tire that has been disposed of. For purposes of this fact sheet, the term used tire will be employed.

If your business stores more than 50 used tires on your property and you do not qualify for an exemption under the law, you must also register with the Illinois EPA. A registration form and a $100.00 fee must be submitted annually.

Exemptions. You may qualify for an exemption from the registration, fee and other storage requirements if you store used tires:

• Outside and never accumulate more than 250 used tires; or
• Within a building or trailer so that the tires are kept dry and never accumulate more that 1,300 used tires.

If you store more than 250 used tires outside or 1,300 used tires inside, you should call the Illinois EPA Used Tire Unit for further assistance. See information under Contacts.

Transportation. Only tire transporters registered with Illinois EPA may haul used tires in Illinois. If your business generates used tires, you must have your tires hauled by registered tire transporters. Records should also be maintained to document the dates of used tire removal and numbers of used tires removed from your site.

A registered used tire transporter must have a company-specific five digit registration number on both sides of the permitted vehicle. The registration number will appear below the words "Registered Tire Transporter", and above an expiration seal which shall designate the date on which the registration shall expire.

Contact Illinois EPA Used Tire Unit for a list of registered used tire transporters in your area.

Disposal. Used tires that are not suitable for resale should be recycled or properly disposed of in a permitted landfill facility. Tires can be recycled by being retread and resold, or shredded and used for various purposes, such as in the production of asphalt. Look for outside vendors that will take used tires for recycling.

Storage. If you store more than 50 used or waste tires, you must adhere to the following requirements:

• You must separate used or waste tire piles by 25 feet and maintain aisle space for personnel and equipment.
• If stored outside, used or waste tires must be separated from all buildings, whether on or off the site, by no less than 25 feet.
• Used or waste tire piles must be separated from all potential ignition sources, including cutting and welding devices, and open fires, by at least 250 feet.
• Used or waste tires must be drained of water on the day of generation or receipt.
• Used or waste tires cannot be stored more than 14 days after receipt unless the used tire is altered, reprocessed, converted, covered or otherwise prevented from accumulating water.
• Used or waste tires cannot not be abandoned, dumped or disposed on private or public property in Illinois, except in a landfill permitted by the Illinois EPA.
• Used or waste tires cannot be accepted from a vehicle in which more than 20 tires are loaded unless the vehicle displays a placard issued by the Illinois EPA.
• Tires cannot be accumulated in an area if the grade of the ground surface exceeds two percent slope, unless the appropriate requirements are met.

In your store more than 500 used or waste tires, you must also adhere to the following requirements (in addition to the above requirements)

• A contingency plan which meets the requirements of Section 848.203 must be maintained.
• Appropriate recordkeeping and reporting requirements must be met.
• Used or waste tires cannot be placed on or accumulated in any pile unless the pile is separated from grass, weeds, brush, over-hanging tree limbs and similar vegetative growth by no less than 50 feet.
• Used or waste tires cannot be placed on or accumulated in any tire storage unit unless the unit is no more than 20 feet high by 250 feet wide by 250 feet long. In determining the width or length of any tire storage unit the aisle space between any piles within the unit shall be included.
• Used or waste tires shall not be placed or accumulated in any tire storage unit unless one of the following requirements is met: A) The tire storage unit is separated from all buildings, whether located on or off the site, and all other tire storage units by an earthen berm that is no less than 1.5 times the maximum height of any tire pile within the storage unit; or B) The tire storage unit is separated from all buildings, whether located on or off the site, and all other tire storage units by a separation distance that is not less than the distance identified.

In your store more than 10,000 used or waste tires, you must also adhere to the following requirements (in addition to the above requirements):

• The area of the site where used or waste tires are stored must be completely surrounded by fencing in good repair which is not less than 6 feet in height.
• Entrance to the area where used or waste tires are located shall be controlled at all times by an attendant, locked entrance, television monitors, controlled roadway access or other equivalent mechanisms.
• The area of the site where used or waste tires are stored must be completely surrounded by an earthen berm or other structure not less than 2 feet in height, and capable of containing runoff resulting from tire fires, and accessible by fire fighting equipment, except that the owner or operator shall provide a means for access through or over the berm or other structure.

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

Illinois Administrative Code Title 35, Part 848, Management of Used and Waste Tires

Used Tire Notification and Registration Form

Self-Audit Checklist

When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things they he or she checks 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 scrap tire storage areas and management procedures.

1. Where are scrap tires transported for disposal/recycling? Make sure your hauler has a valid state permit as a scrap tire hauler. Also, make sure the tires are being taken to an authorized recycler or disposal facility.
2. How many tires are stored? Verify whether your facility falls under the state requirements for registration and other rules.

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 scrap tire storage areas and management procedures.

• Store as few scrap tires as possible at your facility.
• Schedule regular pickup for scrap tires by a properly permitted hauler.
• Keep tires stored indoors, if possible, or keep tire piles covered in order to prevent entrapment of water.
• Store waste tires in a sunny area to allow evaporation of standing water and to kill heat-intolerant mosquito larvae.
• If scrap tires cannot be processed in a timely manner, leave scrap tires on the rims to avoid problems with mosquitoes until the scrap tires can be managed properly.
• Do not burn or bury scrap tires.

Contacts

1. For more information, contact the Illinos EPA Used Tire Unit at 217-785-8604.
2. To report environmental emergencies, call 1-800-782-7860.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest Illinois Environmental Protection Agency offices.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. IEPA Fact Sheet - How to Manage Your Used Tires

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