Recycling and Disposal of Scrap Tires

What are Scrap Tires?

Scrap tires are any tire or part of a tire that no longer is suitable for its original intended purpose by virtue of wear, damage, or defect.

Anne Arundel County residents may deliver only on-the-road (passenger and light truck tires) to Waste Management Services (WMS) facilities. WMS Convenience Centers will accept four (4) or fewer tires at no charge from residents. For quantities in excess of four (4) tires, residents will be directed to the Millersville Landfill & Resource Recovery Facility. A fee of $7.00 per each additional tire will be charged.

Anne Arundel County businesses may deliver on-the-road tires to the Millersville Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility. They will be charged a fee of $162.50/ton. This rate changes in response to the cost the County pays for tire handling. Please call (410) 222-6177 to request the current charge for tires.

Many tire dealers and automotive repair facilities are licensed and regulated by the Maryland Department of Environment to handle scrap tires. These facilities will accept used tires upon the purchase of new tires for a fee. This will ensure that the tires are properly disposed of or recycled.

There are also a number of licensed collection and processing facilities that will accept scrap tires for recycling or visit MDE’s website for more information.

Tires accepted at County facilities are currently transported to various outlets. Starting in 2005, Waste Management Services has utilized the Maryland Environmental Services Tire Recycling facility located in Halethorpe, Maryland. The tires are ground into crumb rubber in sizes ranging from .5 mm to 4 mm.  Crumb rubber is used for sport fields applications and underlayment. The facility also produces a 9mm to 15 mm product called TreadSpread^TM  that resembles mulch and is used in playgrounds, horse arenas, and landscape applications. For more information call (410) 242-5037 or visit the Maryland Environmental Service Website.

Illegal Dumping

The Maryland Department of the Environment recognizes that illegal tire dumping is a serious problem throughout the State. The State collects a fee for every tire sold in Maryland that is deposited in a fund established to cleanup illegal scrap tire disposal sites.

Scrap tires that are improperly discarded are not only unsightly but can pose a fire hazard in large accumulations, and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vectors. Improper dumping of tires and other wastes commonly occurs in ravines, streambeds and remote areas that are not regularly traveled by the public. To report illegal dumping, contact MDE’s Scrap Tire Program at (410) 537-3315.

If you own property that is susceptible to repeated illegal dumping below are actions that you can take:

• Restrict access to your property with fencing, earthen berms, gates etc.
• Install surveillance cameras
• Solicit support of neighbors or adjoining property owners to monitor suspicious activity
• Form a neighborhood watch patrol
• Install no trespassing, no dumping signage and other signage that indicates that violators will be prosecuted
• If possible, report illegal dumping activities to the County Police while in progress

Ultimately, property owners are responsible for managing illegal waste dumping that occurs on their property.

• To report illegal dumping in progress on State or County roadways, call the State or County Police, respectively and provide as much information as possible in order that legal action can be initiated 
• State roads (identified by “Route”) in need of litter clean up should be reported to the State Highway Administration at (410) 766-3770
• County roadways in need of litter clean up should be referred to the following appropriate road district (DPW Road Districts Map)
• • Northern District: (Linthicum, Brooklyn Park, Glen Burnie, Pasadena, and Severna Park) (410) 222-6120
  • Central District: (Odenton, Severn, Arnold, and Crownsville) (410) 222-7940
  • Southern District: (Davidsonville, Edgewater and South County) (410) 222-1933