ECAR Fact Sheet for Rhode Island
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

Rhode Island's Waste Tire Storage and Recycling Facility regulations applies to all persons engaged in the used tire recycling or recovery business within the state that store or have designs to store in excess of 400 tires. If you do not store more than 400 waste tires, these regulations do not apply to your facility.

Permit Requirements. If you store or have designs to store in excess of 400 tires, you must apply for and obtain a license to operate a waste tire recycling facility.

Storage Requirements. If you store more than 400 waste tires, the storage of the tires must meet the following requirements:

• Whole tire piles must not exceed 20 feet in height. Horizontal dimensions of waste tire piles at the base of the pile must not exceed 200 feet in length and 50 feet in width.
• Waste tire piles must have a minimum separation distance of 50 feet between piles, and between a pile and buildings and other structures.
• Waste tire piles must have a minimum separation distance of 200 feet from property lines.
• The facility must not store waste tires in excess of the quantity for which the facility is licensed.
• Tires that are chipped or shredded into 8 inch diameter pieces or smaller may be stored in piles not exceeding 200 feet in length, 150 feet in width, and 20 feet in height.
• Waste tires may not be stored in excess of 6 months. A facility must be able to demonstrate that, on a throughput basis, it is processing 75 percent of the total amount of tires on site within a 6 month period, or for each 6 month period the facility is in operation.

Tires must be unmounted. Any solid waste resulting from facility operation must be stored in department approved areas until removed from the facility. Facilities that remove and recover rims may store mounted tires in a manner approved by the Department and only for a time approved by the Department.

Fire Prevention and Control. If you store more than 400 waste tires, you must be in compliance with the following fire prevention and control measures:

• Approved roads to the facility and access roads within the facility must be constructed for all weather conditions and must be maintained in passable condition at all times to allow for access by fire fighting and emergency response equipment.
• The facility must be maintained free from weeds, trees, and vegetation which may restrict access to or operations of the facility.
• The facility must be constructed to prevent the uncontrolled collection and pooling of water on the facility.
• Waste tire facilities must have, at a minimum, a soil stockpile with approximately 2000 cubic yards of soil available for each 4 acres of storage, and fully charged large capacity carbon dioxide or dry chemical fire extinguishers located in strategically placed enclosures throughout the entire facility in quantities as deemed necessary in the operating plan.
• Waste tire piles must have access to a water supply, such that any part of the storage pile can be reached by using not more than 500 feet of hose, or a distance that is approved by the local fire fighting company.
• Waste tire piles must be accessible on all sides to fire fighting and emergency response equipment.
• Due to the specific fire hazard that tires represent, all waste tire storage and recycling facilities are required to provide surety or insurance in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of handling the worst case contingency identified in the contingency plan, or closure of the facility at its maximum capacity (whichever is greater).

Vector Control. If you store more than 400 waste tires waste tire, tire piles must be maintained in a manner which limits mosquito breeding potential and other vectors. Methods of acceptable vector control may include one or more of the following:

• Covering by plastic sheets or other impermeable barriers, other than soil, to prevent the accumulation of precipitation.
• Chemical treating to eliminate vector breeding provided all chemical treatment programs used as part of the vector control plan first receive Department approval.
• Mechanical tire size reduction into pieces no larger than eight inches in diameter, with storage in piles, that allows complete water drainage.
• Other methods that may be approved by the Mosquito Abatement Board.

Security Plan. If you store more than 400 waste tires, facilities must be enclosed by a woven wire, chain-link or other acceptable fence material, at least 6 feet in height. Access must be controlled by lockable gates. Fences must be a minimum distance of 200 feet from tire piles and tire processing areas.

Disposal. If you do not store more than 400 waste tires, specific disposal requirement do not apply to you. However, make sure you dispose of your waste tires at approved recycling facilities or landfills.

Transporter Requirements. If you do not store more than 400 waste tires, transport requirements do not apply to you. You are allowed to self-transport your tires.

Recordkeeping/Reporting. If you do not store more than 400 waste tires, recordkeeping requirements do not apply to you.

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

Rhode Island's Waste Tire Management 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.

1. Are you required to have a permit? If you store or have plans to store more than 400 waste tires, you must obtain a license to operate a waste tire recycling facility.
2. Are you properly storing your waste tires? If you store more than 400 waste tires, you must comply with the state's storage requirements.
3. How many tires are stored? Do not store more than 400 tires at 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.
• 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 Rhode Island DEM, Office of Waste Management at
   401-222-2797.
2. To report a spill or leak, immediately call the DEM at 401-222-1360 or, if after hours, call the
   24-hour emergency number at 401-222-3070.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the DEM Offices.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Rhode Island’s Waste Tire Management Requirements

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