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ECAR Fact Sheet for New Mexico
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
This fact sheet
is based on New Mexico’s existing Tire Recycling
Act. It is anticipated that sometime next year, proposed, substantial
changes to the Act will be approved. At that time, new regulations
and requirements for the management of scrap tires will take effect.
Until that time, current scrap tire regulations are in effect.
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) defines
a scrap tire as a tire that is no longer suitable for its originally
intended purpose, which is to absorb shock and provide traction
on a motor vehicle, or is not usable as a casing in a retread tire
because of wear, damage or defect.
Permit
Requirements. Auto salvage facilities are not required to obtain
a permit if they remove tires from motor vehicles in the ordinary
course of business, and if no more than five hundred
scrap tires are kept on the premises at any one time.
Storage Requirements. Any person who stores scrap tires
shall do so in a manner that does not cause a public nuisance or
create a potential hazard to public health, welfare or the environment,
and that minimizes the potential for a fire.
Disposal.
Scrap tires must be disposed of in a permitted or registered solid waste facility or a permitted
tire recycling facility. For a list of eligible facilities, contact
the NMED Solid Waste Department.
Transporter
Requirements. Scrap tire haulers are required to obtain
a general permit that includes:
- The type of equipment to be used to handle
and transport the scrap tires.
- Evidence of proper certification and licensing
for drivers and vehicles.
- Any other information requested by the
Secretary.
Recordkeeping/Reporting.
Scrap tire haulers must keep records
on the number of passenger tire equivalents (PTEs) or weight of
the whole or processed scrap tires for each month, by origin and
destination, and the final disposition of the scrap tires not stored
or processed.
Records shall be furnished upon request and be made
available at reasonable times for inspection by the NMED. Records
must be kept during the operational life of the facility and for
a period of three years after closure of the facility.
Links
to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations
pertaining to waste tire management.
New Mexico’s
Waste Tire Recycling Act (current)
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? Auto salvage facilities are not required
to obtain a permit if they remove tires from motor vehicles in
the ordinary course of business, and if no more than five hundred
scrap tires are kept on the premises at one time.
- How many tires are stored? Do not store more than 500 tires
at any one time.
- Are you following scrap tire transport requirements?
Scrap tire haulers must be permitted. Ensure that scrap tires
are sent to a permitted facility.
- Are you complying with all recordkeeping requirements?
Scrap
tire haulers must follow prescribed recordkeeping and record retention
requirements.
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 New Mexico Environment
Department, Solid Waste Bureau at 505-827-2775.
- To
report a spill or leak, call the New Mexico 24-hour emergency
hotline at 505-827-9329. For non-emergencies, call 866-428-6535.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the nearest regional office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
None.
Other
Relevant Resources
- New
Mexico – Auto Salvage Guidance Document
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