Waste Tires

ECAR Fact Sheet for Mississippi
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

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

State Authorization Requirements. You do not have to obtain state authorization if you are a tire retailer, tire wholesaler, motor vehicle dismantler, or salvage dealer if you do not:

Hold more than 500 waste tires, or
Hold more than 100 waste tires for a period exceeding 90 days.

Indoor Storage Requirements. Indoor storage of waste tires shall comply with the following standards:

Each waste tire storage pile shall have no greater dimensions than 25 feet wide and 50 feet long. Storage clearance in all directions from roof structures shall not be less than 3 feet.
The width of main aisles between piles shall be not less than 8 feet.
Depending upon the number of tires to be stored at a facility and the location of the facility, an automatic sprinkler system may be required.
Storage clearance from the top of storage to sprinkler deflectors shall not be less than 3 feet.
Tires shall be stored clear of all blower and exhaust ducts.
Storage clearance from unit heaters, radiant space heaters, duct furnaces, and flues shall not be less than 3 feet in all directions.
Clearance shall be maintained to lights or light fixtures to prevent possible ignition. Clearance shall be maintained to all entranceways, exits, and fire doors.
The person operating the site shall control mosquitos and rodents so as to protect the public health and welfare and to prevent public nuisances.

Outdoor Storage Requirements: Outdoor storage of waste tires shall comply with the following standards:

Each waste tire storage pile shall have no greater dimensions than 15 feet high, 50 feet wide, and 100 feet long.
A minimum separation distance of 50 feet shall be maintained between waste tire storage piles as a fire lane. Access to the fire lane for emergency vehicles must be unobstructed at all times.
The site shall be kept free of grass, underbrush, and other potentially flammable vegetation at all times.
The person operating the site shall control mosquitos and rodents so as to protect the public health and welfare. These actions may include periodic application of an approved mosquito controllant to the waste tire stockpile, the frequency of which should increase during warm/wet weather periods of the year.
Waste tire storage piles should generally be kept at least 50 feet from the adjacent property line. However, an alternate separation distance may be approved by the Department contingent upon such factors as date of facility establishment, quantity of waste tires stored, nature of business operations, surrounding property use, and other factors.
Access to the site shall be controlled through the use of fences, gates, natural barriers or other means.

You may receive approval to operate a waste tire collection site in which waste tires are stored in trailers, vans, or other mobile storage facilities.

Transporting Waste Tires - Generator Requirements. A waste tire generator providing waste tires for transportation to a facility for storage, processing, disposal, or retreading/resale shall complete and sign a certification form as provided by the Department certifying the following:

The number of waste tires to be transported or in the event that the waste tires have been cut, chopped, sliced, shredded or otherwise processed into multiple pieces, the volume of processed waste tires to be transported;
The county and state in which the tires were collected; and
The name and address of the waste tire processing, storage, disposal or retreading/resale facility for which the tires are destined.

After completing all applicable portions of the certification form, you shall provide the form to the person transporting the waste tires for his completion and signature, and shall retain a copy of the certification form signed by the waste tire generator and the waste tire transporter for at least three years.

You shall only allow a registered waste tire hauler who possesses a valid identification number to collect and transport waste tires if 50 or more tires are transported, or if the transporter is compensated by you for such service.

Transporter Requirements. Waste tire transporters shall:

Complete and sign the certification form initially completed by the waste tire generator, certifying the receipt of waste tires from the waste tire generator.
Not transport a waste tire load from the generator's site, unless the waste tire generator has completed and signed all applicable portions of the certification form.
Present the certification form to the owner/operator of a waste tire collection, processing, disposal or retreading/resale site at the time of delivery of the tires for storage, processing, disposal or retreading/resale and shall retain a copy of the completed certification form containing all signatures for at least 3 years.
Not deposit the tires for storage, processing, disposal or retreading/resale within the State of Mississippi except at an appropriately authorized waste tire collection, processing, disposal site, at a retreading/resale facility or at another facility approved by the Department to accept waste tires.
Obtain a valid identification number if he/she hauls 50 or more waste tires for storage, processing or disposal or who hauls tires for compensation.

Disposal. Waste tires must be taken to an appropriately authorized waste tire collection, processing, disposal site, at a retreading/resale facility or at another facility approved by the Department to accept waste tires.

Recordkeeping/Reporting. Maintain the following records for a minimum of three years after the date of removal of waste tires:

For waste tire loads of 5 or more received at the site, the name and waste tire hauler identification number of the hauler who delivered the waste tires to the facility and the quantity of waste tires received from that hauler; or the name, address, and telephone number of the waste tire transporter and the quantity of tires received from that transporter;
For waste tire loads of 5 or more shipped from the site, the name and waste tire hauler identification number of the hauler who transported the tires from the site and the quantity of waste tires shipped with that hauler; or the name, address, and telephone number of the waste tire transporter and the quantity of tires shipped with that transporter;
For waste tire loads of 5 or less received or shipped from the site, the total monthly quantity of waste tires received and the total monthly quantity of waste tires shipped for all transporters; and
Where applicable, the quantity of reusable tires separated from incoming loads at the site and the retreading/resale facility to which they are shipped.

Retain a copy of the certification form signed by the waste tire generator and the waste tire transporter for at least 3 years.

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

Mississippi’s Waste Tire Management Requirements

Mississippi’s Waste Tire Transporter 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.

Are you required to have a permit? You do not have to obtain state authorization if you are a tire retailer, tire wholesaler, motor vehicle dismantler, or salvage dealer who owns or operates a waste tire collection site if you do not hold more than 500 waste tires, or hold more than 100 waste tires for a period exceeding 90 days.
How many tires are stored? Do not store more than 100 waste tire for more than 90 days or more than 500 waste tires at any time.
Are you following transport and disposal requirements? Ensure you are using an authorized waste tire transporter and that waste tires are being sent to authorized waste tire collection, processing or disposal sites, at a retreading/resale facility or at another facility approved by the Department.
Are you complying with all recordkeeping requirements? Ensure you follow all generator and transporters recordkeeping requirements and keep the records on file for at least 3 years.

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

For more information, contact the MDEQ Waste Tire Program Coordinator at 601-961-5613.
To report a spill or leak, call the MDEQ’s 24-hour State Warning Point at 601-352-9100 or
800-222-6362.
To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

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