When And How To Dispose of Car Tyres: Tyre Disposal Near Me

When the time comes to replace your car tyres, the biggest problem that many people experience is deposing of the old ones. You don't have anywhere to put them, and your standard trash collection service won't accept them. As such, many drivers wonder: "Where can I find tyre disposal near me?"

Depending on where you live, there are 3 options:

Personally hauling them to a nearby recycling centre
Repurposing the tyres safely in your home
Taking them to a professional garage for disposal

Some options are more appealing (or possible) than others, based on your situation. For example, your car may struggle to carry one or more old tyres to a recycling centre, or it may be illegal in your city or village to repurpose tyres outdoors.

This article will explore your options for tyre disposal, alongside special factors to keep in mind, so you can get rid of your old tyres safely (and legally).

Can I Throw Out My Old Tyres?

Tyres cannot be picked up by standard trash collecting services. Since 2006, it has been illegal to send out-of-use tyres to landfills under the E.U. Landfill Directive. As a result of this decree, tyres need to be recycled.

Likewise, you should never burn or carelessly throw out your old tyres. Disposing of the tyres irresponsibly is both a costly and harmful ordeal, as it can result in fines or more serious punishments from law enforcement.

Even if you could get away with dropping old tyres on the sides of roads, behind buildings, or in an open stretch of field, you shouldn't. Used tyres have a reputation as notoriously bad for the environment.

They do not biodegrade, they can serve as a home for invasive pest species when poorly discarded, and they're a common source of litter. Burning them releases toxic smoke and gasses into the air, which can lead to pollution overall, as well as serious health concerns for you and anyone nearby.

In general, improperly disposing of tyres not only harms those around you, but also the greater environment. Luckily, there are many options for tyre disposal that are simple, hassle-free, and better for the environment.

How To Responsibly Dispose Of Old Tyres

Getting rid of old tyres can be safe, legal, and even good for the environment – when done correctly.

Composed of materials like steel, rubber, and other synthetic polymers, recycling tyres is a lengthy process that involves the separation and disintegration of the rubber. What is known as "rubber crumb" then finds alternative uses in carpet underlay, sports tracks, roof tiles, and more. This ensures that your tyres live on in helpful ways, instead of harming the world around you.

Here are ways to safely and legally get rid of your tyres, so they can be properly recycled:

Recycling Centres

Recycling centres are the most eco-friendly method for disposing of old car tyres. Depending on where you live, there should be a local recycling plant that accepts tyres, or which can transport them to an appropriate centre.

This may come with a fee. For example, the tyre recycling scheme in Kent allows 5 tyres to be deposited per visit, charging £2.50 per tyre. Their particular centre only accepts car and motorcycle tyres.

You can check your local household waste recycling centre for its own tyre disposal guidelines online. Calling ahead will also ensure you better understand what's needed to dispose of your tyres.

Repurpose Them Yourself

Depending on your area, and if your home has a garden, you can use old tyres innovatively. They make excellent garden planters when filled with soil, or great boundary markers if painted white.

However, some areas ban the use of tyres as DIY objects, as the rubber may be damaging to the soil, their shape may allow pest species (such as invasive insects) to nest and reproduce destructively, or the use of tyres may violate local regulations. Tyres are classified as hazardous waste under U.K. law, so be sure to consult with your local council in advance.

Garages

Reputable garages may allow you to drop off old tyres for disposal. This is ideal if your local recycling centre does not accept them or if you are unable to transport the tyres to one.

The garage may also require a fee, but many include disposal in a package when you change the tyres through them or purchase new ones.

Garages have their own systems in place for disposing of old auto parts, so they can include your old tyres as a natural part of it, ensuring they're recycled. At Autofusion, we make sure that each tyre is accounted for and will happily recycle your old tyres when you buy new ones from our range of tyre manufacturers.

Dos And Don'ts For Disposing Of Old Tyres

If you're uncertain about what to do with your tyres, keep these factors in mind:

Do

Repurpose your tyres for eco-friendly purposes
Contact garages like Autofusion to see if they can recycle your tyres for you
Visit your local household waste recycling centre to drop off your tyres
Check with your local council about repurposing old tyres in your home

Don't

Discard of your tyres in public places
Burn your tyres
Send your tyres to landfill
Ignore the signs that your tyres need replacing and drive illegally

If you have any further questions about the condition or disposal of your tyres, get in touch with the experts at your local Autofusion centre today.