The Problem With Stockpiles and Landfill Disposal . . .
Stockpiles of old tires present serious health and solid waste disposal problems:
- As potential health risks, used tire stockpiles can be havens in which pests reside and mosquitoes breed, they are a potential fire hazard, and they can contaminate surface water run-off.
- By North Carolina law, whole tires were banned from landfills as of March 1, 1990.
- Used tires disposed in landfills will not decompose for many years and will tend to disrupt landfill covers by rising to the surface.
Hazardous or Non-Hazardous . . .
Tires are not currently classified as a hazardous waste in North Carolina.
To Help Prevent Pollution . . .
- Encourage customers to maintain proper air pressure in tires, to periodically rotate and balance tires, and to periodically check front end alignment.
- Prevent unnecessary tire changeouts. Educate employees and customers on proper techniques for determining the correct time tires should be replaced.
- Seek opportunities to reuse or retread any discarded tires. For example, Customer A's scrap tires may be useful and appropriate for Customer B.
- Recycle scrap tires. Whole scrap ties can be used for retaining walls, dock buffers, or playground equipment. Tires can also be processed for door and gymnasium mats or for erosion control.
The Wrong Things To Do . . .
- Do not co-mingle whole tires with regular dumpster waste that is landfilled.
- Do not illegally dump tires.
- Do not stockpile tires long enough for mosquitoes to breed.
- Do not give tires back to car owners unless requested. While this practice is not illegal, the tires could be wrongfully disposed.
Hauling Scrap Tires. . .
- Use only a registered scrap tire hauler to transport your tires to scrap tire collection sites and/or scrap tire reprocessors such as retreaders. If you use a hauler to pick up your scrap tires, you must complete a Scrap Tire Certification Form, as explained below under Applicable Laws. Call the site to verify arrival of your tires.
- If you haul your own tires, take them only to sites permitted by the State. Each county in North Carolina is required to have at least one scrap tire collection site, and there are several reprocessing plants that have received permits to operate in the State.
Applicable Laws
- North Carolina imposes a 2-percent privilege tax on all tires sold with a bead diameter of less than 20 inches and a 1-percent privilege tax on tires with a bead diameter of 20 inches or greater. This tax was last changed in October 1993 and will be effective until at least June 30, 1997.
- All people involved in the disposal of scrap tires must complete and sign a Scrap Tire Certification Form, which is available at the local landfill.
- Part I is filled out by the person who has accumulated the tires.
- Part II is filled out by the certified hauler.
- Part III is filled out and retained by the receiver of the tires.
- No person shall discard, deposit, or dispose of a scrap tire except at a site or facility permitted to receive scrap tires. It is the legal responsibility of the retailer and/or generator to ensure that a certified hauler disposes of the scrap tires at a permitted facility. This facility should be specified when the retailer fills out Part I oúf the Scrap Tire Certification Form.
- A maximum of 500 scrap tires may be stored on site at any one time.
- When tires are hauled from your facility, always count the number of tires and enter that number under Part I of the Certification Form. Helpful Hint : Do not leave that number blank as additional tires could be added to your load and disposed under your name.
- Commercial scrap tire haulers must be certified by the North Carolina Solid Waste Section of the Division of Solid Waste Management and obtain a hauler's ID Number. Prospective haulers may call (919) 733-0692 in Raleigh for information.
- Tire retailers who haul only their scrap tires generated in the normal course of business are not required to obtain a hauler's permit; the company's State sales tax number serves as an ID number.
- Tire collectors (scrap tire collection sites or scrap tire disposal sites) must notify the Solid Waste Section of their activities and may need to obtain a permit.
To check on any special county ordinances concerning scrap tires, contact your county manager or county solid waste office. For more information, call the Office of Waste Reduction at (919) 715-6500 or the Solid Waste Section at (919) 508-0692.