Do you have old tires and are not sure what to do with them or wondering if they can be recycled? Unfortunately, curbside pickup is not an option. You must either recycle them in a designated recycling center, sell them, or have an auto body shop dispose of them for you.
Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable and convenient options. You might even make a few bucks with a bit of luck. This page will answer all your questions, explain your obligations, and teach you how to save as much money as possible or even profit with your old tires!

Why Do I Need to Recycle Used Tires?
You need to recycle tires because they are not biodegradable and take up significant landfill space. This is not only bad for the environment but also reduces our ability to eliminate waste, among other issues (we explain below).
Hundreds of millions of old tires are recycled annually in the United States. Some are reused to make new products like asphalt for the roads (we explain this further below); some are reused in the home for creative projects; some are even in good enough condition to be retreaded and put back on the road.
But why do we recycle them instead of just throwing them out?
Two reasons:
- Tires are not biodegradable: Tires can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose. If you illegally dump them in nature, they’ll release toxins and poison the environment.
- Tires take up a lot of space in landfills: If we throw tires in landfills, they would fill up too quickly and reduce our ability to get rid of everyday waste. Also, tires rise to the top of landfills and attract insects and pests. This makes them a breeding ground for diseases.
How to Dispose of Old Tires

The great thing about recycling tires is that they can be used for many different purposes. Some of the most common are:
- Rubber mulch for weed control year-round
- Playground surfaces for children
- Asphalt
- Portland cement
- Home projects (furniture, tire swing, pots for plants)
There are so many uses for old tires that there is no reason to throw them out. This is our only planet (for now!), so let’s treat it right.
If you want to dispose of your tires, you have a few options:
- A local recycling center (use the tool below)
- The auto body shop when you purchase new tires. Some will take them off your hands for a few dollars. The cost of recycling might even be worked into the price of the new tire or be an environmental tax on the final price.
- Sell them yourself to a shop or online (more on that below)
Of course, not all tires become a sad old swing in your backyard. Tires are also burned (a process called pyrolysis) in an oxygen-free environment so they can be broken down quickly and safely.
Where to Recycle Used Tires Near Me?
Recycling your tires isn’t just doing the right thing, it’s the law in many jurisdictions.
Locate the nearest recycling facility and bring your tires in as soon as possible. Most centers charge a nominal fee (usually just a few dollars) to take them off your hands.
Check with your local government. There might be a program to pick them up for you, or your state might even have a local tax that covers this cost.
Tire Recycling FAQs
Where Can I Sell Used Tires?
You can sell used tires to a local auto body shop, on an online marketplace like Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook (if they are in good condition), or to a company that recycles them into a new product. This is only if they’re still usable. If they aren’t, you have to recycle them (see below).
Generally, selling a used tire will only get you about $10-$25 per tire (depending on their condition), so most don’t even bother. If you have larger truck tires (in good condition), they might fetch you up to $60. You can find companies online and call them to see how much they’ll pay.
Be sure to check the quality of the tire before and do your research. The more you know, the better you can haggle with a shop or potential buyer online.
Note: Recycling old tires can cost money, so factor that into your profit. For example, if it costs you $10 to recycle a tire but instead you sell it for $3, then you made $3 instead of spending $10, so you just netted $13!
Can you get money for recycling tires?
No, you generally can’t get money to recycle tires. Since tires are banned from landfills, there’s a public cost to get rid of them.
However, getting a bit of money for the aluminum rims at a local scrap yard is possible. Some companies will take them off your hands for $1-3 each and turn them into asphalt, but this usually ends up costing more money than it’s worth.
Theoretically, you can make good money if you have a large capacity, but as an individual, it’s challenging.
Where can I recycle tires for free?
Usually, you can only recycle tires for free if you buy new tires, and the auto shop takes the old ones off your hands. It’s important to know that there are almost NO FREE ways to recycle tires.
There are many specialized tire recycling centers in every area of the country, but most will charge a fee. Be sure to check state laws. There could be a tax-funded program in your state.

Instead of trying to recycle them, why not put them to good use around your home? You could:
- Make a tire swing
- Use them to plant flowers
- Stack them up
- Make the dog a tire bed
- Build a tire yard planter
- Make a tire table in the garden
- Make a tire umbrella stand
Can you throw tires away?
No, you cannot throw away whole tires. Tires cause serious environmental damage and serve as a breeding ground for pests and diseases. They take up valuable landfill space and are not biodegradable. They are no longer allowed in landfills (depending on where you live), so you cannot put them on the curb.
Some states allow shredded tires in landfills, and others will allow you to throw them in the landfill for a fee ranging from $5-$10.
Most municipal recycling programs also do not accept tires right off the curb, though you could check with your city. If you want to get rid of old tires, they must be recycled or sold. You could always leave them in the corner of your garage with the rest of the things you swear you’ll get to one day!
What do they do with old tires?
Old tires can be used for a surprising range of new products but are most commonly turned into asphalt or Portland cement.

However, new efforts are being made to reuse old tires in the making of new tires or garden mulch. Some tires are even turned into fuel, but most are burned, a pressing environmental issue.
How much does it cost to dispose of tires?
Depending on your chosen method, it costs anywhere from $1-$10 to dispose of old tires. Some companies may come to pick them up for a small fee, and some municipalities allow you to throw them in landfills for $5 or $10. Specialized recycling centers also accept old tires for just a few dollars.
Some states (for example, Maryland) incorporate a tire recycling fee into purchasing every new tire. Check for actual costs in your local area.
Can you put tires in a dumpster?
No, you cannot put tires in a dumpster under almost any circumstance. There are specialized services or recycling centers that handle the disposal of tires. They are almost always banned from landfills and curbside pickup.
Are old tires toxic?
No, old tires are not toxic. At least not immediately. Tires take an extremely long time to wear down. They are an environmental issue because they stay in landfills for years. Old tires release toxic chemicals, but it takes an extremely long time.