ECAR Fact Sheet for Wisconsin
Used Tires

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources

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What You Need to Know

Disposal of waste tires is one of the biggest solid waste issues facing automotive recyclers. Waste tires pose a significant threat to public health and the environment. Waste tire piles provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which may cause disease, and also present a serious fire hazard.

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

In Wisconsin waste tires are considered a solid waste, and are defined as “tires that are no longer suitable for their original purpose because of wear, damage or defect.”

Wisconsin will give auto recyclers somewhat of a break when it comes to storing and transporting waste tires, if you comply with the following management practices:

Storage. When storing waste tires, you should:

• Make sure waste tires are stored indoors in a covered, hard surface containment pad; in covered, leak-proof containers; in an enclosed trailer with a steel floor, or in a manner to prevent the discharge of fluids.
• Store the waste tires in semi-trailers, or in separate piles of 1,300 tires or less. You cannot store more than one semi-load of tires on-site at any time.

Transportation.  Auto recyclers do not normally need a permit to transport small amounts of waste. If you self-transport waste tires to an approved recycling or disposal facility, you may not need a transportation license.

Once you reach the storage limit of 1,300 waste tires, you must transport the tires off-site to an approved recycling facility.

Disposal. Whole tire disposal is banned at landfills. Waste tires must be sent to an approved disposal or recycling facility.

Note: If you are unsure about storage, disposal, transporting or licensing requirements for your facility, you are encouraged to contact the WDNR Auto Salvage Sector Resource Specialist (listed under the “Contacts” section in this document).

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

Wisconsin Stormwater Permits and the Cooperative Compliance Program for Auto Recyclers and Scrap and Waste Recyclers

Wisconsin Solid Waste Regulation

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. Where are waste tires transported for disposal/recycling? Make sure the tires are being taken to an authorized recycler or disposal facility.
2. How many tires are stored? Make sure you do not store more than 1,300 tires at any one time or you may be in violation of WDNR’s Solid Waste Regulations.
3. Are you storing the tires properly? Store the waste tires in semi-trailers, or in separate piles of 1,300 tires or less. Make sure the tires are stored indoors.

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 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.

1. For more information, contact Wisconsin’s DNR Auto Salvage Sector Resource Specialist at 715-831-3263, or contact the WDNR Regional Office in your area. For northern Wisconsin, call 715-635-2101 or 715-365-8900; West Central Wisconsin, call 715-839-3700; Northeast Wisconsin, call 920-492-5800; Southeast Wisconsin, call 414-263-8500; and, for South Central Wisconsin, call 608-275-3266.

2. All spills should be immediately reported using Wisconsin’s 24-hour toll free hotline at 800-943-0003. If you discover a discharge through analysis of soil or water, use the Hazardous Substance Release Fax Notification Form.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

None.

1. Best Management Practices for Auto Recyclers
2. Wisconsin’s Auto and Scrap Recycling Website
3. Wisconsin: List of Waste Tire Recycling Facilities