ECAR Fact Sheet for Missouri
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

Tires that are too damaged or worn to use as vehicle tires are waste tires. The storage, hauling and disposal of waste tires are regulated under Missouri's Solid Waste Management Law.

Storage. If you store 500 or more tires, you must have a permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as a waste tire site, and you must follow the requirements outlined in the permit. If you store 25 to 499 tires, you are considered a waste tire collection center and must meet the following requirements:

• Waste tires must be stored in a way that does not cause pollution, health or nuisance problems.
• You must meet local or national fire protection standards for storage of rubber tires. Contact your local fire department for information on what those requirements are. If your local fire department does not have standards for storage, follow the national standards.
• You cannot store tires in a wetland, sinkhole or floodplain.
• You must store tires in a way that is unfavorable for the harboring, feeding and breeding of vectors. To do this you must do one of the following:
  • Drain any water out of the tires or store them indoors or under cover; or,
  • Cut or alter the tires so they cannot hold water; or
  • Treat the tires with mosquito pesticides; or,
  • Get approval from the Department for any other method of control that you wish to use before you begin using the method.
• Tires intended for resale or retreading are not regulated as waste tires provided they have over 2/32 inch of tread. Store them separately from waste tires.

Transportation.  If you pay someone to haul away your waste tires, that person needs a permit from the Department. However, you or other employees from your business do not need a permit to haul tires generated from your business. The tires may be hauled to a tire processor, site or end user. They may be hauled to a landfill if

they are cut, chipped or shredded. A tire hauler's permit is good for one year

and only applies to the person or business to which it is issued. See the link for permitted waste tire haulers under “Other Relevant Resources” below.

Disposal. It is illegal to burn tires in Missouri. You cannot dispose of tires in a landfill

unless the tire is cut up in at least 3 pieces of about equal size or in half  circumferentially (forming two circles). Waste tires may be taken to the following types of facilities:

• A local tire retail store (regulated as a waste tire collection center).
• A permitted waste tire processor.
• A permitted sanitary landfill, if the waste tire is cut in half circumferentially (like a bagel) or cut into thirds.
• Household trash dumpster, if the waste tire is cut in half circumferentially (like a bagel) or cut into thirds. Coordinate with a trash hauling service.
• Another state, provided the tires are managed in compliance with that state’s requirements.

Processing. Anyone who processes waste tires for a fee must have a waste tire processing permit from the Department if more than 25 tires are on-site at any time. Processing includes shredding, cutting, chipping or otherwise altering.

Recordkeeping. You must keep a record of how many tires are taken in and removed from your facility each month. Include the name of the hauler and the date the tires were removed. You may contact the Department to get a recordkeeping form.

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

Missouri Waste Tire Regulations

Missouri Solid Waste Regulations (Waste Tires -  260.270-276)

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? Check with your 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. Store whole and processed tires in buildings, covered containers or covered to prevent the infiltration of water. 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 Missouri Solid Waste Program at 573-751-5401.
2. To report a tire fire after hours or on weekends, call 573-634-2436.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Missouri Scrap Tire Unit
2. Tire Hauler Information
3. Tire Derived Fuel End-Users in Missouri PDF
4. Crumb Rubber and Whole Scrap Tire End-Users PDF
5. Missouri Vehicle Salvage Guidance Document

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