When it is time to replace an old or damaged tire, you may be tempted to place it inside your regular trash can or a commercial dumpster. However, tires require special handling and should never be included with regular household or business waste.
Understanding why tires must be disposed of separately can help prevent collection problems and keep our communities cleaner and safer.
Tires Require Special Disposal
Tires are different from ordinary household trash. Their size, shape, and durable materials make them difficult to manage through standard trash collection and disposal systems.
In Arizona, waste tires should be taken to an approved waste tire collection site or handled through another authorized disposal option. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality maintains a list of designated collection sites throughout the state.
Tires Can Damage Collection Equipment
Trash trucks and collection equipment are designed to handle normal bagged household waste. Tires may become caught inside the equipment or interfere with the truck’s compaction system.
Placing tires in your trash can or dumpster may create delays, equipment issues, or safety concerns for collection crews. To help your collection day run smoothly, always keep tires outside your regular trash container.
Improperly Stored Tires Can Collect Water
Tires left outdoors can collect rainwater inside their curved surfaces. Standing water can create a place where mosquitoes may breed.
Removing and properly managing unwanted tires helps reduce these conditions and keeps yards, businesses, and neighborhoods cleaner. The Environmental Protection Agency identifies mosquito breeding and pest habitats as concerns associated with improperly managed tire piles.
Tires Can Become a Fire Hazard
Large piles of discarded tires can present a serious fire risk. While tires may not ignite easily, tire fires can be extremely difficult to control once they begin.
They may burn for long periods and produce heavy smoke and harmful materials that can affect the surrounding air, soil, and water.
How Should You Dispose of Old Tires?
Instead of placing tires in your United Disposal trash can or dumpster, consider these options:
Contact the tire shop where you purchased your replacement tires.
Ask a local automotive service center whether it accepts used tires.
Take the tires to an approved waste tire collection site in your county.
Contact your local county or solid waste office for disposal instructions, possible limits, and applicable fees.
Arizona counties provide designated waste tire collection sites for their residents, although requirements and accepted quantities may vary by location.
Help Us Keep Our Communities Clean
Proper tire disposal protects collection equipment, supports safer working conditions, and helps prevent unwanted tire piles in our neighborhoods.
Please remember: Do not place tires inside United Disposal trash cans or dumpsters.
When everyone follows proper disposal guidelines, we can work together to keep our communities clean, safe, and cared for.
For questions about what is accepted in your United Disposal container, please contact our team before placing the item out for collection.
