ECAR Fact Sheet for Vermont
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 are a bulky waste and are hard to handle with normal solid waste equipment. When buried in a landfill tires tend to "float" to the surface over time and disrupt landfill covers as well as landfill gas and leachate collection systems. When stockpiled, large piles of tires are excellent breeding grounds for mosquitos and vermin. Although tires by themselves are not hazardous, fires in tire piles are very hard to extinguish and produce both toxic smoke and runoff.

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

The VT DEC has prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage scrap tires. You can access the guidance for scrap tires under "Other Relevant Resources."

Regulations

Although scrap tires are not specifically regulated in Vermont, they are considered a solid waste, which requires that scrap tire transporters have a permit.

Scrap tires are banned from landfill disposal in Vermont, and may not be burned as fuel except in approved industrial size boilers with special air pollution control equipment and permitting.

Transporter Requirements. Transporters must be permitted scrap tire haulers.

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

Vermont's Solid Waste 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 following scrap tire transport requirements? Only permitted transporters may haul scrap tires.

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.

• Transport stored waste tires regularly to prevent large accumulations.
• Scrap tires can be shipped for burning as a tire-derived fuel in cement kilns or electric power plants, retreaded, shipped to firms that process them to produce crumb rubber or chips, or used as a construction material. For a copy of the Auto Salvage Marketers list call 800-974-9559.
• Be sure tire piles are accessible to fire and emergency vehicles.
• Store as few waste tires as possible at your facility.
• 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 Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Waste Management Division at 802-241-3888.
2. To report a spill or leak, call the Vermont Division of Waste Management at 802-241-3888 (weekdays), the 24-hour spill reporting hotline at 800-641-5005, or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, call 802-241-3820, or contact the nearest regional enforcement officer.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

Other Relevant Resources

1. Vermont EAD - Scrap Tire Guidance
2. Vermont - Permitted Scrap Tire Transporters
3. Vermont EAD - Auto Salvage Yard Environmental Resource Center

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