Where Can I Take Old Tires? 8 Drop-Off Options [2026]

The best place to take old tires depends on how many you have and whether they are on rims.

1-4 passenger tires: Any tire retailer (Discount Tire, Tire Rack, Firestone, Les Schwab) accepts them for $1-5 per tire. Many waive the fee if you buy new tires at the same time.

5+ tires: Municipal recycling or transfer stations usually accept larger quantities. Fees are typically $2-5 per tire, sometimes free for residents with proof of address.

Tires on rims: Expect an extra $3-5 per tire. Some shops will not accept tires on rims at all — call ahead.

Truck or oversized tires: Commercial tire shops handle these. Fees run $10-25 per tire due to size and weight.

Yes. Discount Tire, Firestone, Goodyear, Pep Boys, and most national tire chains accept old tires for recycling.

Discount Tire is the easiest option — they accept up to 4 old tires per visit for $1-3 each, even if you did not buy from them. If you are buying new tires, disposal is included in the recycling fee charged at purchase ($2.50-3.50 per tire).

Firestone Complete Auto Care accepts old tires for $3-5 each. Les Schwab accepts tires for free in most Pacific Northwest locations.

Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart tire centers accept old tires only when you purchase new ones. The disposal fee ($2-5 per tire) is built into the purchase price. You cannot drop off random old tires from your garage at these stores without a new tire purchase.

Several options cost nothing.

Community tire recycling events run 2-4 times per year in most US counties. Check your county waste management website or call 311. These events accept 5-10 passenger tires per household at no charge. Many also accept tires on rims.

Retailer trade-in programs include disposal fees in the price of new tires. If you already paid a disposal/recycling fee when you bought your current tires (check your receipt — it is labeled "tire disposal fee" or "environmental fee"), you can drop off the same number of tires at participating retailers at no additional cost.

Some municipalities run permanent free tire drop-off programs for residents. Cities including Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, and Atlanta operate these year-round at specific transfer stations. Bring proof of residency (utility bill or driver's license).

No. Regular curbside trash collection does not accept tires in any US state. Trash haulers will leave them at your curb untouched.

Tires are banned from landfills in 38 states because they trap methane, breed mosquitoes, and create fire hazards. States that do allow landfill disposal charge $3-10 per tire at the gate.

Illegal tire dumping carries fines from $500 (first offense, most states) to $25,000 (California, repeat offenders). In New York, the fine is $1,000 per tire. Not worth the risk when legal disposal costs $1-5.

City bulk pickup programs sometimes accept 1-2 tires as part of a larger bulk collection. Call 311 or check your city's waste management site to confirm before placing tires at the curb on bulk day.

Recycled tires become useful products.

40% become tire-derived fuel (TDF) burned in cement kilns and paper mills — tires produce 25% more energy than coal with fewer emissions.

25% become crumb rubber used in playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and rubberized asphalt. Rubberized asphalt roads last 2x longer than standard pavement.

15% are ground into mulch for landscaping and garden beds. Rubber mulch does not decompose, attract insects, or need annual replacement.

10% are retreaded for commercial truck fleets. A retreaded tire costs 30-50% less than new and performs at 90%+ of original specification.

The remaining 10% end up in engineered landfills (where legal), civil engineering projects (road embankments, drainage), or stockpiles awaiting processing.