By VDC Staff
A bill that would ban the sale of car and truck tires in Vermont unless the manufacturer has an approved plan to dispose of waste tires will get a hearing in House Environment at 9 AM Thursday morning.
It’s illegal to dispose of tires in a Vermont landfill. The State of Vermont offers possible alternatives for disposing of worn out tires. The bill puts manufacturers on the financial and regulatory hook.
H.204, sponsored by Rep. Chris Taylor (R-Milton) and Leann Harple (D-Craftsbury) requires that as of January 1, 2027 a manufacturer of a motor vehicle tire shall not sell, offer for sale, or deliver to a retailer for subsequent sale a motor vehicle tire unless:
- the manufacturer is implementing an approved waste tire stewardship plan, participating in a waste tire stewardship organization registered with the Secretary and that is implementing an approved waste tire stewardship plan, or
- The manufacturer or waste tire stewardship organization has paid a fee as set forth in the law, or
- The name of the manufacturer and the manufacturer’s brands are designated on the Agency website as covered by an approved waste tire stewardship plan.
It is illegal to landfill tires in Vermont. The State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation offers the following information:
If the tires are still usable, try selling or giving them away on Front Porch Forum, Craigslist, or the local classified ads. Or, put them out on your lawn with a “Free” or “For Sale” sign.
Bring old tires to a Wheels for Warmth collection event (typically held in the fall). Tires will be resold if they are safe for use and recycled if they are not. Proceeds go toward emergency heating assistance programs for Vermonters.
When you buy new tires, ask your retailer to dispose of your old tires. All tire retailers will take scrap tires for a fee of typically $3-5/tire.
Contact your local Waste District or Town to find a transfer station or recycling center near you that accepts tires for a fee.
If you have a large quantity of tires (~100 or more), contact one of the below tire haulers/recyclers permitted to work in Vermont. Do not hire an unpermitted entity, as they may dump your tires illegally.
Fred Budzyn -Berlin, VT. (802) 371-7653
K-N-S Tire Recycling – Albany, VT. (802) 755-9278
BDS Waste Disposal – Norridgewock, ME. (207) 278-3833 or (207) 356-7976
Bob’s Tire – Mattapoisett, MA. (508) 997-8545
FBS Tire Recycling, Inc. – Littleton, MA. (978) 772-4251
All Metals Recycling (Hauling only)- Hardwick, VT. (802) 472-5100
Burnett Scrap Metal LLC. (Hauling only) – Hinesburg, VT (802) 482-6075
Hoosick Tire & Services LLC. (Hauling only) – Cambridge, NY. (518) 677-3636
What else can I do?
Scrap tires are used in playgrounds, as swings, as planters, and for similar applications. Other uses of whole scrap tires, particularly large quantities, are generally not allowed. If you have an idea for a beneficial use of whole scrap tires, please contact the Solid Waste Management Program first. Do not collect or build with tires without prior approval.
Why are tires banned from the landfill?
Tires do not compress well in landfills and can trap methane gas, causing them to, eventually, “float” up to the surface, disrupting the landfill as they move. If they are left in large piles, tires can trap heat and become fire hazards. Tire piles can also trap water and become breeding grounds for mosquitos. Also, scrap tires can be burned for energy, recycled for use in other rubber products, added to pavement, shredded and used as a drainage medium, and otherwise beneficially reused. Landfilling tires would be a waste of a resource.