ECAR Fact Sheet for South Carolina
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

Permit Requirements.  South Carolina requires facilities that handle waste tires to obtain a permit. You may be exempt from having to obtain a permit if in the ordinary course of business, you remove tires from motor vehicles, and if less than 1,000 of these tires are kept on the premises. In addition, you must maintain your site to prevent and control mosquitoes.

Storage Requirements.  You shall control mosquitoes and rodents so as to protect the public health and welfare and to prevent public health nuisances on or sourced from the facility. You shall implement such mosquito control measures or other pest control measures as may be required by the Department and/or local mosquito control program. Records shall be kept of all mosquito control activities and made available upon request.

Disposal. Waste tire must be disposed of by a registered waste tire hauler only in a permitted waste tire processing or collection facility, at a permitted solid waste management facility, or at another site approved by the Department.

Transporter Requirements. Waste tire haulers must meet the following requirements:

• Waste tire haulers who transport tires for the purpose of storage, disposal, or processing shall be registered with the Department, have received a registration number, and must submit an annual report.
• Waste tires shall be transported under such conditions and circumstances so as to control mosquitoes and prevent their spread.

Recordkeeping/Reporting. A waste tire hauler shall record and maintain for three years waste tire hauling activities for each three-month period of operation.

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

South Carolina’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 maintain your site to prevent and control mosquitoes and if you remove tires from motor vehicles, if less than 1,000 of these tires are kept on the premises, you are exempt from permit requirements.
2. How many tires are stored? Do not store more than 1,000 at one time.
3. Are you following scrap tire transport requirements? Make sure you used a registered waste tire hauler and that the tires are disposed of at approved facilities.

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 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Bureau of Land and Waste Management, at 803-896-4000.
2. To report a spill or leak, immediately call DHEC’s 24-hour hotline at 888-481-0125. In Columbia, call 253-6488. For more detailed spill reporting requirements, access the DHEC’s Spill Reporting Website.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. South Carolina – Waste Tire Hauler Registration Form
2. South Carolina – Waste Tire Hauler Annual Report Form

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