ECAR Fact Sheet for North Carolina
Waste Tires

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

BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR

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

Waste tires present two unique pollution and public-safety concerns: the potential for fires, and the possibility of providing a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Although waste tires do not ignite easily, once on fire, they burn very hot and are difficult to extinguish. Extinguishing methods are costly and can produce an oily run-off that can pollute soil and nearby surface and ground water. If improperly stored, tires may collect rainwater which can create an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The State of North Carolina addressed these issues by developing a waste-tire management program to ensure the proper collection, transportation, disposal and processing of waste tires. Salvage facilities are required under these rules to manage tires in an environmentally safe manner.

Regulations

Under North Carolina law, you may store a maximum of 500 waste tires at one time. Auto recyclers are encouraged to recycle or retread their scrap tires. Disposing of whole scrap tires in landfills is prohibited. Regardless of whether you recycle or dispose of your tires, you must adhere to the following transport requirements:

• Use only a scrap tire hauler registered with the North Carolina Solid Waste Division to transport your tires to scrap tire collection sites and/or scrap tire reprocessors such as retreaders. If you use a hauler to pick up your scrap tires, you must complete a Scrap Tire Certification Form, (see link under Regulations and Forms). All people involved in the disposal of scrap tires must complete and sign the form. Part I is filled out by the person who has accumulated the tires. Part II is filled out by the certified hauler. Part III is filled out and retained by the receiver of the tires. *Call the site to verify arrival of your tires.
• If you haul your own tires, take them only to sites permitted by the State. Each county in North Carolina is required to have at least one scrap tire collection site, and there are several reprocessing plants that have received permits to operate in the State.

* It is the legal responsibility of the retailer and/or generator to ensure that a certified hauler disposes of the scrap tires at a permitted facility.

Other Requirements

• North Carolina imposes a 2-percent privilege tax on all tires sold with a bead diameter of less than 20 inches and a 1-percent privilege tax on tires with a bead diameter of 20 inches or greater.

• Tire retailers who haul only their scrap tires generated in the normal course of business are not required to obtain a hauler's permit; the company's State sales tax number serves as an ID number.
• Tire collectors (scrap tire collection sites or scrap tire disposal sites) must notify the Solid Waste Section of their activities and may need to obtain a permit.

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

North Carolina Regulations Regarding Scrap Tire Disposal

Scrap Tire Certification Form

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. Where are waste tires transported for disposal/recycling? Commercial scrap tire haulers must be certified by the North Carolina Solid Waste Section of the Division of Solid Waste Management and obtain a hauler's ID Number.
2. How many tires are stored? Make sure you do not store more than 500 tires at any one time.

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 by a properly DENR permitted hauler.
• 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 additional information, please contact the North Carolina Solid Waste Section at
   (919) 733-0692.
2. To check on any special county ordinances concerning scrap tires, contact your county manager or county solid waste office.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest DENR Regional Office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. DENR Fact Sheet on Waste Tire Disposal

BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR