How to dispose of old tires
Find your nearest tire drop-off
Type your ZIP at /check for the verified nearest tire retailer + your county HHW free-tire allowance.
Tire retailer take-back ($3-5 per tire)
Every major tire retailer (Discount Tire, Costco, Walmart Auto, NTB, Firestone, Belle Tire, Goodyear) accepts old tires from non-customers for a $3-5 per-tire fee. The fee covers the state tire-recycling charge. If you're buying new tires from the same shop, the disposal of the olds is included free.
County HHW or tire-amnesty event
Hennepin + Ramsey HHW facilities accept 4-6 tires per household per year free for residents (limit varies by county). Bring photo ID. Many MN counties also run free tire-amnesty events 1-2 times per year — typically spring + fall. Check the county sustainability calendar at hennepin.us or ramseycounty.us.
Tires on rims (extra step)
If your old tires are still mounted on rims, most tire shops charge $5-10 extra per wheel to dismount the tire before disposal. The metal rim is yours to keep (scrap aluminum or steel value), or you can leave it for the shop to scrap. Don't try to cut the tire off the rim yourself — bead-wire makes it dangerous without proper equipment.
Bulk loads + commercial quantities
For more than 8-10 tires (estate cleanouts, farm cleanups, tire-pile remediation), retailers and HHW won't take them. Call a commercial tire recycler. In MN: Liberty Tire Recycling (libertytire.com) and First State Tire (Minneapolis) handle bulk pickups for $0.50-2 per tire. Schedule ahead.
What NEVER to do
Tires in curbside trash, ditches, vacant lots, or backyard fires are illegal in 38+ states and carry fines of $300-$1,000+ per tire. Burning tires releases benzene, dioxins, and zinc — the smoke is acutely toxic. Tire piles are also fire hazards: a tire pile fire can burn for months and contaminate groundwater for decades.
Frequently asked
Why do tire shops charge a disposal fee?
Every state with a tire-recycling program adds a small fee ($1-3 per tire) to new-tire purchases that funds the recycling stream. When you drop orphan tires (not from a new-tire purchase), the shop charges $3-5 per tire to cover that recycling cost. It's not profit — it's pass-through.
Can I throw old tires in the trash?
No in 38+ U.S. states. Tires are banned from landfill because they trap water (mosquito breeding), catch fire in piles, and don't compact. Illegal-dumping fines are $300-$1,000+ per tire. Use a tire retailer, county HHW, or a tire-amnesty event.
Where can I dispose of tires for free?
Three free options: (1) Buy new tires anywhere — the shop takes the olds free as part of the purchase. (2) County HHW often allows 4-6 free tires per household per year (Hennepin + Ramsey both do). (3) County tire-amnesty events run 1-2 times per year — usually spring + fall.
Does Discount Tire take old tires?
Yes. Discount Tire, like every major tire retailer (Costco, Walmart Auto, NTB, Firestone, Belle Tire, Goodyear) accepts old tires from non-customers for $3-5 per tire, and free with a new-tire purchase. State tire-fee programs require it.
Do I need to remove the rim before disposal?
No — most tire shops will dismount the tire from the rim for an extra $5-10 per wheel and dispose of the tire. The metal rim is yours to keep (scrap aluminum or steel value), or you can leave it for the shop. Don't try to dismount at home — bead-wire makes it dangerous without proper equipment.
What happens to recycled tires?
Three main outcomes: (1) Crumb rubber — playground surfaces, artificial turf, asphalt additive. (2) Tire-derived fuel — burned in cement kilns and industrial boilers. (3) Civil-engineering applications — road sub-base, retaining-wall fill, septic-drain-field aggregate. ~85% of U.S. scrap tires get recycled this way.
Does Walmart take old tires?
Walmart Auto Care Centers accept tires for $3-5 per tire if you're not buying new ones from them. If you buy new tires at Walmart, disposal of the olds is included free. Walmart locations without an Auto Care Center won't accept tires — call ahead to confirm before driving over.
How many tires can I take to county HHW?
Most counties allow 4-6 tires per household per year free. Hennepin County: 4 tires/year free. Ramsey County: 6 tires/year free. Anoka County: 4 tires/year free. Bring proof of residency (driver's license or utility bill). Beyond the annual limit, the standard $3-5/tire fee applies.
Can I burn old tires?
No, illegally in all 50 U.S. states. Tire burning releases benzene, dioxins, zinc, and lead — the smoke is acutely toxic and can affect neighbors hundreds of yards downwind. Penalties range from $500 to $25,000+ per incident plus criminal charges in some states. Tire pile fires (industrial-scale incidents) have burned for years and contaminated groundwater for decades.
What about tractor tires and farm equipment tires?
Standard retailers and HHW won't accept large agricultural tires. Contact a commercial tire-recycling specialist: in MN, Liberty Tire Recycling (libertytire.com) and First State Tire (Minneapolis) handle farm-equipment and oversized tires for $5-25 per tire depending on size. They'll arrange on-farm pickup for bulk loads.