Waste Tires In Wisconsin

Waste tires present environmental, health and safety hazards. Rainwater accumulates in tire piles creating an ideal environment for mosquitoes that are know to transmit LaCrosse Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. Another hazard is fire. Large tire fires can burn for weeks impacting both the environment and posing a threat to public health.

The information presented below is intended to provide:

• a brief history of the waste tire problem that existed in Wisconsin many years ago;
• an update as to what is occurring today with the generation and reuse of waste tires;
• for businesses that generate waste tires information on how to obtain licensed services to dispose of waste tires and suggested temporary storage of waste tires prior to collection and disposal;
• information to the general public on how best to manage their waste tires; and,
• for individuals who may wish to start a business hauling, transferring, storing and processing waste tires, the requirements to obtain approvals and licenses from the Department of Natural Resources.

Background

In October 1986, a massive waste tire fire in Somerset consumed millions of tires and burned for weeks. It was estimated that approximately 15 to 20 million waste tires were stockpiled in the state at that time. The tires were being stockpiled either to avoid landfill costs, or because the owners thought old tires would one day have value as fuel, and landfills were not accepting them for disposal. These issues spurred the legislature to pass a law creating a Waste Tire Removal and Recovery Program in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in May 1988. That law provided staff and funding to address the problems associated with stockpiling and the lack of markets. The source of public funding was a $2.00 per tire fee assessed on new motor vehicles at the time the vehicle was initially registered in Wisconsin.

Between 1990 and 1997, the DNR cleaned up 12 million tires at 162 sites; private parties, under DNR direction, cleaned up an additional 4 million tires at 408 sites. Almost all of these waste tires were processed into fuel and used for generating energy or electricity at industries. In addition, grant funds were provided by the DNR to both public and private parties to establish an infrastructure in the state for the collection and processing of the material, and to establish end-use markets for their reuse.

When the legislature terminated the Waste Tire Removal and Recovery Program on June 30, 1997, almost all tires stockpiled in the state prior to the passage of legislation were cleaned up, a primarily private waste tire infrastructure was established for collection and processing, and markets were available for all of the waste tires generated in the state each year.

What's Happening Today With Waste Tires

Today the management of waste tires in Wisconsin continues to be an ongoing concern. The state generates more than 5 million waste tires per year or the equivalent of 50,000 tons. The threat of fires is still a problem and the recent introduction of West Nile Virus poses additional health risks.

The processing and reuse of waste tires has changed considerably since the termination of the Waste Tire Removal and Recovery Program. The numbers of waste tire processors operating in the state have shrunk, and the market for waste tires has changed.

In 1997, energy recovery was the primary market for waste tires consuming about 95% of what was generated. A survey conducted in 2006 found that about 50% of the waste tires were used in energy recovery, 45% in a variety of products and the remaining 5% used in landfill geotechnical applications. More information on management of waste tires in the United States can be found by contacting the Rubber Manufactures Association (exit DNR) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (exit DNR).

Businesses That Generate Waste Tires

Many businesses in Wisconsin generate waste tires. These businesses consist of new and used car dealers, automotive repair shops, auto and scrap salvage yards, tire dealers, farms and large businesses that have fleets of vehicles. In most cases, these businesses are required to either obtain a license to transport waste tires or hire a collection and transportation service that is licensed by the DNR to transport their waste tires to a licensed processor.

It is also important to store waste tires properly at a business site prior to disposal. It is recommended that waste tires be stored inside. If this is not practical, outside storage in a closed container or tarping of the pile is recommended. This will prevent water infiltration and minimize the breeding of mosquitoes. A recommended management practice is to dispose of waste tires on a routine schedule, accumulating no more than one truck load of tires at any time. A licensed tire hauler can arrange a schedule for pickup to ensure that waste tires do not accumulate and cause a nuisance. It also is recommended that you check local ordinances for other licenses and/or storage requirements. You can click on this list of waste tire haulers or check in your local phone book under "waste management services or waste tires" for businesses who may be licensed to haul in your area.

Disposal Of Waste Tires Off A Personal Vehicle

As an owner of a personal vehicle, the best way to deal with your old tires is to take advantage of the service provided by the establishment where you buy your new tires. Almost all new tire dealers will take those old tires for a service fee. Very few municipalities provide these collection services so if you do have a small amount of waste tires that accumulated in your garage, etc., contact your local recycling agency or licensed waste hauler in the phone book in your area.

Waste Tire Haulers

Owners and operators of services for the collection and transportation of waste tires must obtain an operating license from the Department of Natural Resources. Services for the collection and transportation of waste tires amounting to less than 20 tons per year (approximately 2,000 automotive vehicle tires) are exempt from licensing. Waste tire means a tire that is no longer suitable for its original purpose because of wear, damage or defect.

Please contact the local DNR office nearest you for information to obtain a license application to haul waste tires and the operational requirements for these services. The administrative rules that specify the requirements to obtain a license and the operational requirements for collection and transportation serves can be found in s. NR 502.06, Wis. Adm. Code.

Waste Tire Transfer/Storage/And Processing Facilities

Owners and operators of services for the transfer, storage or process of waste tires must obtain a plan of operation approval and an operating license from the Department of Natural Resources prior to the operation of their business. A plan of operation is a written document submitted by the owner or operator of the proposed facility that contains information about the physical layout of the facility, description of the surrounding environment, storage of processed and unprocessed materials, and facility plans for the protection of public health and the environment. For storage and processing facilities, the department also requires that the facility have financial responsibility in place for the closure of the facility.

The administrative code specifying the plan of operation requirements is found in Chapter NR 502 and financial responsibility requirements in Chapter NR 520. It is recommended that individuals interested in starting a business contact the local DNR office to obtain more specific information on these requirements before filing a plan of operation.

Individuals seeking information on the financial and operational aspects of operating a waste tire business may want to consult with the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). The RMA (exit DNR) has a considerable amount of useful information on aspects of the management of waste tires on their Web site.