ECAR Fact Sheet for Tennessee
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

It is estimated that 5,000,000 waste tires are generated annually in Tennessee and several million waste tires are currently stockpiled or illegally dumped across the state. In addition to littering the landscape and marring the natural beauty of Tennessee’s hills and stream banks, the improper disposal of whole tires often results in health and environmental hazards.

Whole 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.

Regulations

In Tennessee, whole tires are banned from being disposed in a landfill.

Storage. Store as few tires as possible and minimize on-site tire piles. Be sure tire piles are accessible to fire and emergency vehicles.

Transportation. TDEC does not require specific registration for waste tire haulers nor maintains a list of them. In Tennessee the term “hauler” refers to a generator or someone they hire to transport tires. The term “transporter” generally refers to a vehicle or semi that picks up tires from county collection centers and takes the tires to a recycling facility.

Disposal. Tires should be sent to permitted collection centers, recycling or disposal facilities.

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

Tennessee Solid Waste Management Requirements  - Waste Tires

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.

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 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 more information, contact the Tennessee Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management at 615-532-0780.
2. To report a spill or leak, call the Tennessee State Emergency Operations Center 24-hour hotline at 800-262-3300, or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest regional office.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Tennessee Waste Tire Program.

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