Scrap yards accept vehicles, and vehicles come with tires. It doesn't take long before you've got hundreds — or thousands — of tires piling up on your property. Most scrap yard operators know how to handle metal. Tires are a different problem. Here's how to manage them legally and efficiently.
Why Tires Are a Liability for Scrap Yards
Tires aren't just an eyesore — they're a regulatory and financial liability. SC DHEC treats any property with more than 500 tires as a waste tire storage site, which requires a permit and regular inspections. Without a permit, you're in violation. With a pile that keeps growing, you're accumulating a cleanup cost that compounds over time.
Beyond the regulatory risk, tire piles attract mosquitoes (a public health issue), create fire hazards, and can result in DHEC enforcement actions that shut down your operations until the tires are removed.
Your Options for Handling Scrap Yard Tires
Option 1: Regular scheduled pickup
Best for: Ongoing operations with steady tire volume
Set a weekly or biweekly pickup schedule. We arrive, load all tires, and leave you a manifest. You never accumulate more than a week or two of tires. This is the cleanest, lowest-risk approach for most scrap yards.
Option 2: Roll-off container service
Best for: High-volume yards with limited staff time
We drop a roll-off container at your yard. Your team throws tires in as they come in. When it's full, we swap it out. Pricing is per ton with a 10-ton minimum. Simple, no scheduling required.
Option 3: Periodic bulk removal
Best for: Yards that have already accumulated a large pile
If you've got a backlog, we can come in and do a one-time large removal — then set you up on a regular schedule going forward. We'll quote the cleanup separately from the ongoing service.
Pricing for Scrap Yard Tire Removal
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Passenger tires (scheduled pickup) | $4.00 each |
| Light truck tires | $6.00 each |
| Semi / truck tires | $22.00 each |
| Super Singles | $44.00 each |
| Roll-off bulk (10-ton min) | $225/ton |
| One-time large cleanup | Quoted by volume |
| Environmental/compliance fee | $25 per transaction |
DHEC Compliance for Scrap Yards
Key requirements that apply to scrap yards in SC:
- Cannot store more than 500 tires without a waste tire storage facility permit
- Must use a DHEC-registered hauler for all tire removal
- Must retain manifests for every tire load for at least 3 years
- Tires cannot be buried, burned, or disposed of in a standard dumpster
- Tire piles must be accessible for DHEC inspection at any time
What to Tell Us When You Call
To get a quote fast, have this ready:
- Your yard location (city/county)
- Approximate number of tires currently on site
- Breakdown of tire types (passenger, truck, semi, OTR)
- How many tires you take in per week on average
- Whether you want scheduled service, roll-off, or a one-time cleanup
Set Up Tire Removal for Your Scrap Yard
We work with scrap yards across South Carolina. Call or submit a request and we'll get you a quote within 24 hours.