How to Dispose of Old Tires in North Carolina

Old tires can’t go in the trash, can’t go in a dumpster, and can’t go to a landfill in North Carolina. This creates a practical problem for anyone clearing out a garage, barn, or property where tires have accumulated over the years.

Here’s every legal option — and a few things to watch out for.

Why You Can’t Just Throw Tires Away

North Carolina General Statute §130A-309.58 prohibits whole tires from NC landfills. Tires are banned because they don’t compact, they can trap gases in landfills, they create mosquito breeding habitat when water collects in them, and they’re a fire risk in open dumps.

This ban applies to passenger tires, truck tires, and agricultural tires — whole or shredded.

Illegal tire dumping is a Class 3 misdemeanor in NC. It’s enforced more than people expect — tire dumpers are frequently identified and fined.

Option 1: Tire Retailers (Required by NC Law to Accept Tires)

Under NC law, tire retailers are required to accept used tires from customers for recycling purposes. This applies even if you’re not purchasing new tires.

How it works:

• Call ahead to confirm they’re accepting tires (technically required, but calling saves you a wasted trip)
• Take the tires in — most locations accept 4–8 passenger tires per visit
• Pay the disposal fee: usually $1–$5 per tire for standard passenger tires, more for truck or commercial tires

Who accepts tires in NC:

• Discount Tire, Goodyear, Firestone, Pep Boys, Mavis, and other chain auto service centers
• Independent tire shops
• Auto dealerships with service departments
• Jiffy Lube and quick lube shops (call first — not all locations have processing agreements)

This is often the easiest single-tire option for most people.

Option 2: County Convenience Centers and Transfer Stations

Most NC counties accept tires at county-operated convenience centers or transfer stations, usually with a limit on quantity per visit.

Common NC county policies:

• Wake County: Accepts up to 8 tires per visit, per day at South Wake Landfill and other drop-off sites. Passenger tires are free; truck tires and commercial tires may have fees.
• Mecklenburg County: Foxhole Road convenience center and others accept tires in limited quantities. Fees apply.
• Guilford County: Multiple convenience centers accept tires from residents. Check the Guilford County solid waste site for current limits and fees.
• Durham County: Transfer station accepts tires. Call ahead for current policy.

County policies change. Always check the county solid waste or recycling website for current rules before loading tires in your truck.

Option 3: NC Scrap Tire Cleanup Events

The NC Department of Environmental Quality and individual counties occasionally hold targeted cleanup events for scrap tires — sometimes free, sometimes with a per-tire cap. These are particularly common in rural counties where illegal dumping is a chronic problem.

Check the NC DEQ website and your county’s solid waste department for upcoming events.

Option 4: Licensed Tire Processors

If you have more than a truckload of tires — from a farm, an estate, or a property that had significant accumulation — a licensed tire processor is the right path.

Licensed processors in NC accept tires in quantity, shred or process them, and route them to legitimate end uses: crumb rubber for playgrounds and athletic turf, tire-derived fuel (TDF), and road surface aggregate.

Processing fees range from $2–$15 per tire depending on size. Search “scrap tire processor NC” to find licensed facilities in your region.

What About Junk Removal Companies?

Most junk removal companies in NC accept a small number of tires — typically 1–4 — as part of a larger residential load. They route them to licensed processors as part of their disposal chain.

For larger tire quantities (a barn with 20 old tractor tires, a shop cleanout with 50+ tires), most junk removal companies will either decline or charge significantly more because they need to route through a licensed processor with per-tire fees.

If tires are part of what you’re clearing, mention it when you call and ask specifically how many they’ll take and what the additional charge is. Junk Doctors handles tire disposal as part of junk removal loads — call with specifics so we can give you an accurate quote.

Can You Reuse Old Tires?

Before disposing, consider whether the tires have remaining value:

Tires with usable tread: Can be sold at used tire shops or online. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist listings for used tires move faster than most people expect, especially for common sizes.

Tires with no tread (but intact structure): Some uses for old tires don’t require tread — swings, planters, garden borders, equipment tire ballast on farms, backyard obstacle course equipment.

Agricultural tires: Farm tire dealers sometimes buy old tractor or equipment tires for the rubber value. Worth a call before disposing.

Tires that are dry-rotted, cracked, or structurally compromised: Straight to disposal. Don’t try to sell or donate tires that could fail catastrophically in use.

The Fastest Path for Most People

For 1–4 passenger tires: call a local tire retailer and ask their current drop-off process. Most accept a small number with or without a purchase, with a small per-tire fee.

For 5–8 tires: county convenience center, with a quick phone call to confirm current limits.

For 10+ tires: licensed processor or a junk removal company that works with processors — and always call ahead so they can route it correctly.