ECAR Fact Sheet for Wyoming
Used 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.

Permit exemptions. You may be exempt from a permit or any requirement to obtain a waste management authorization if you accumulate less than 1,000 scrap tires (excludes any scrap tires remaining on wheels attached to vehicles), and you comply with the following condition:

• You supply information to the administrator which demonstrates that the act, practice, or facility is exempt, and shall allow entry of department inspectors for purposes of verification of such information.

Storage Requirements. If you are a permitted facility that transfers, treats or stores whole scrap tires, you must comply with the following storage and operating requirements:

• Waste piles shall be constructed a minimum of 50 feet from any open flames, blow torches, or highly flammable substances.
• Outdoor waste piles shall be constructed a minimum of 50 feet from any other outdoor waste piles; shall be constructed a minimum of 50 feet from facility property boundaries; shall not exceed 20 feet in height or 50 feet in width, and have a base surface area no greater than 10,000 square feet.
• Scrap tires managed within a structure shall be managed under conditions that meet or exceed those in the current edition of The Standard for Storage of Rubber Tires, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 231D, written by the NFPA Committee on Standards for Rubber Tires, published by the NFPA Standards Council.
• Facilities which manage outdoor waste piles shall be equipped with adequate stockpiles of soil for firefighting purposes unless the administrator authorizes other firefighting procedures.

Disposal Requirements. If you are a permitted facility that transfers, treats or stores whole scrap tires, you must comply with the following disposal requirements:

• Scrap tires which are disposed shall be completely covered with a minimum of 6 inches of soil a minimum of once every 90 days or when more than 5,000 scrap tires have been disposed, whichever comes first.

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

Wyoming’s Scrap Tire Management Standards

Wyoming’s Solid Waste Management Requirements

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? You may be exempt from a permit or any requirement to obtain a waste management authorization if you accumulate less than 1,000 scrap tires (excludes any scrap tires remaining on wheels attached to vehicles), and you supply information to the administrator which demonstrates that the act, practice, or facility is exempt, and shall allow entry of department inspectors for purposes of verification of such information.
2. How many tires are accumulated? Do not accumulate more than 1,000 scrap tires.

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.

1. For more information, contact the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Solid & Hazardous Waste Division at 307-777-7752.
2. To report a spill or leak, contact the Wyoming All Hazards Response Program at 888-996-9104.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the Wyoming All Hazards Response Program.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

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