ECAR Fact Sheet for New Jersey
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 waste tires is one of the biggest solid waste issues facing automotive recyclers. Waste 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 also present a serious fire hazard.

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

Regulations

In New Jersey, if you receive end-of-life vehicles that are equipped with tires, you are classified as a Class A scrap metal recycling center. You do not need NJ DEP approval to operate. However, you must comply with New Jersey’s recycling regulations.

Storage. New Jersey law prohibits the storage of 5,000 or more waste tires without a permit. You are exempt from the requirement to obtain approval from DEP under the following conditions:

• You are a recycling center that receives fewer than 5,000 scrap tires per month and you do not process the scrap tires, provided that the storage of materials on-site does not exceed six months.
• The tires must only be stored in a totally enclosed structure or in roll-off containers or trailers dedicated to scrap tire storage, and, the tires are transferred to an end-market or to a recycling center approved to receive, store, process, or transfer scrap tires.

Disposal. Tires must be taken to permitted solid waste facilities, approved tire recycling centers, or sites operating under an exemption from the recycling center approval process.

Transporters. Transporters hauling tires (source-separated materials) for recycling do not have to register with the DEP.

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

New Jersey Recycling Regulations (7:26A)

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? Make sure the tires are being taken to an authorized recycler or disposal facility.
2. How many tires are stored? Make sure you do not store more than 5,000 tires at any one time without a permit.

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

1. For more information, contact the New Jersey Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste at
   609-292-8341.

2. To report a spill or leak, or to report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the NJDEP
   24-Hour Hotline at 1-877*-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. New Jersey Bureau of Recycling and Planning
2. New Jersey Scrap Tire Facilities and Tipping Fees

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