How to Dispose of Old Tires in Oregon

Oregon Tire Disposal Law

Oregon takes tire disposal seriously. Tires are banned from Oregon landfills, and illegal tire dumping carries stiff penalties. The Oregon DEQ manages the state's tire management program, which ensures that used tires are collected, processed, and recycled or repurposed rather than piled up or dumped.

Under Oregon law:

• Tire retailers must accept used tires when you purchase new ones (included in the tire fee).
• Oregon charges a tire recycling fee on new tire purchases to fund collection and recycling programs.
• Dumping tires illegally can result in fines and cleanup cost liability.
• Accumulating more than 100 tires on your property without a DEQ permit is illegal.

Tire Retailer Take-Back

The simplest way to dispose of old tires is at the point of purchase. When you buy new tires, the retailer is required to accept your old ones. The recycling fee built into the price of new tires covers this service.

Oregon Retailers That Accept Old Tires

• Les Schwab — Oregon's most popular tire retailer. Accepts old tires with purchase of new ones at no additional charge. They have locations throughout Oregon.
• Discount Tire — Accepts old tires with purchase and sometimes accepts drop-offs for a small fee.
• Costco Tire Center — Accepts old tires with purchase of new ones.
• Walmart Auto Center — Accepts old tires with purchase.
• Independent tire shops — Most accept old tires with purchase. Some also accept drop-offs for $2 to $5 per tire.

If you are not buying new tires, many tire shops still accept used tires for a small per-tire fee. Call ahead to confirm their current policy and pricing.

Transfer Stations and Drop-Off Sites

Oregon transfer stations accept tires, typically with a per-tire fee separate from the standard weight-based disposal charge.

Fees by Area

Tires on rims are accepted but usually cost more. Remove tires from rims if possible to save on disposal fees. The rims themselves can be taken to a scrap metal recycler for a few dollars each.

Professional Removal

If you have a large number of tires — from a property cleanout, a farm, or a tire accumulation — professional junk removal handles the job efficiently.

• Small quantities (4-10 tires): $50 to $100 when combined with other junk removal.
• Large quantities (10+ tires): Priced based on volume. A full truckload of tires runs $200 to $400.
• Timeline: Same-day or next-day service in most Oregon metro areas.

Professional removal is particularly useful for estate cleanouts and property cleanups where tires have accumulated over years. Learn more about what haulers will take in our guide on what junk haulers take.

What Happens to Recycled Tires

Oregon has a robust tire recycling infrastructure. Used tires are processed into several products:

• Tire-derived fuel (TDF): Shredded tires are burned as fuel in cement kilns and paper mills. This is the most common destination for Oregon's used tires.
• Crumb rubber: Tires are ground into fine granules used in playground surfaces, athletic tracks, rubber mulch, and asphalt modification.
• Civil engineering: Whole or shredded tires are used as lightweight fill in road construction, retaining walls, and drainage systems.
• Retreading: Tires with good casings can be retreaded and reused, particularly commercial truck tires.

Oregon DEQ reports that the state processes millions of tires annually through these channels, with minimal tire stockpiling compared to many other states.

Specialty Tires (Truck, Tractor, ATV)

Oversize and Truck Tires

Commercial truck tires, tractor tires, and other oversize tires cost more to dispose of because of their weight and volume. Transfer stations typically charge $8 to $15 per oversize tire. Very large tractor tires (over 48 inches) may require special arrangements.

ATV and Motorcycle Tires

These smaller tires are accepted at the same locations as passenger car tires, usually at the standard per-tire rate. Some recyclers charge less for smaller tires.

Bicycle Tires

Bicycle tires can go in regular trash in most Oregon jurisdictions. They are small and lightweight enough that haulers do not classify them as tires for disposal purposes.

What NOT to Do

• Do not dump tires in forests, fields, or waterways. Tire dumping is aggressively enforced in Oregon. Dumped tires collect rainwater and become mosquito breeding grounds, and they can leach chemicals into soil and water.
• Do not burn tires. Burning tires releases toxic smoke containing benzene, lead, and other hazardous chemicals. Open tire burning is illegal in Oregon.
• Do not stockpile tires. Accumulating more than 100 tires requires a DEQ permit. Tire piles are fire hazards — once a tire pile catches fire, it can burn for months and create severe air and water pollution.
• Do not bury tires. Burying tires does not eliminate them. They can work their way back to the surface over time and contaminate groundwater.

Cost Comparison

To learn about what else can be removed during a property cleanout, check our guide on where junk goes after removal in Oregon.