ECAR Fact Sheet for Utah
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.

In 1990, the Utah Legislature enacted the Waste Tire Recycling Act with the intent of creating a recycling market for waste tires generated in the State and those tires currently in piles. The Act provides rebates for tires recycled and is funded through an $1.00 fee on new tires purchased.

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

Regulations

The Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste (DEQ), Solid Waste Section, is responsible for the registration of tire recyclers and tire transporters, review of reimbursement requests for transportation of tires from tire piles at landfills and abandoned piles, and enforcement of the Utah administrative code covering the storage of tires.

You must obtain a permit if you are a waste tire storage facility or maintain a waste tire pile on the ground of more than 1,000 waste tires or 1,000 passenger tire equivalents. Waste tire storage facilities include:

Storage Requirements.  These storage requirements apply to piles of 1,000 or more whole waste tires. These requirements do not apply to whole waste tires at permitted waste disposal facilities stored for one year or less. Prior to storing waste tires, tire pile facility operators must obtain DEP approval.

• Accumulate tires only in designated areas and control access to the tire pile site by fencing.
• Limit individual tire piles to a maximum of 5,000 square feet of continuous area in size at the base of the pile. Limit individual tire piles to 50,000 cubic ft in volume or 10 feet in height.
• Piles should be at least 10 feet from the perimeter of the property or any building and not exceed 6 feet in height when within 20 feet of any property line or building.
• Provide for a 40-feet fire lane between tire piles that contains no flammable or combustible material or vegetation.
• Maintain a vector control program.
• Provide on-site fire control equipment that is in good working condition.
• Display an emergency procedures plan and inspection approval by the local fire department and require all employees to be familiar with the plan

Disposal. A landfill may not receive whole waste tires for disposal except as follows:

Transporter Requirements. Waste tire transporters must obtain a current waste tire transporter registration certificate from the Executive Secretary, and shall maintain liability coverage for sudden or non-sudden accidental occurrences

in the amount of $300,000. Waste tire transporters shall submit a quarterly activity report to the Executive Secretary.

Check with your local county/municipal requirements regarding waste tire requirements so that you meet all applicable local ordinances or regulations, which may be more stringent that the state’s waste tire requirements.

Recordkeeping/Reporting. Recordkeeping. Records must be kept that show the number of tires received at and shipped from the facility. Records must also be kept regarding the number of tire piles and the number of tires in each pile at the facility.

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

Utah’s Waste Tire Transporter and Recycler 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 generate or accumulate more than 1,000 waste tires, you may be required to obtain a permit.
2. Are you following waste tire transport requirements? Waste tire transporters must obtain a current waste tire transporter registration certificate maintain liability coverage. Check with your local county/municipal requirements regarding waste tire requirements so that you meet all applicable local ordinances or regulations, which may be more stringent that the state’s waste tire requirements.
3. Are you complying with all recordkeeping requirements? Records must be kept that show the number of tires received at and shipped from the facility. Records must also be kept regarding the number of tire piles and the number of tires in each pile at the facility.

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 Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste at 801-538-6170.
2. To report a spill or leak, call the DEQ spill hotline at 801-536-4123, or access the DEQ Spill Report Website for more detailed reporting information.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the DEQ Offices.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Utah - Registered Waste Tire Recycler List
2. Utah - Registered Waste Tire Transporter List
3. Utah - Waste Tire Recycler Registration Application Form
4. Utah - Waste Tire Transporter Registration Application Form

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