About This Guide
This guide is written by Jack Leahy, CEO & Founder of Eco Tire Solutions LLC — a SC DHEC registered waste tire hauler with 30+ years of experience in the tire and rubber industry.
The tire recycling industry in South Carolina is underserved. Millions of waste tires are generated every year, and there aren't enough legitimate, compliant haulers and processors to handle them. That creates a real business opportunity — but it also comes with regulatory requirements, startup costs, and operational challenges that you need to understand before you start.
Step 1: Understand the Regulatory Landscape
In South Carolina, waste tire management is governed by SC DHEC Regulation 61-107.3. Before you haul a single tire, you need to understand what's required:
- • Waste Tire Hauler Registration — Required for anyone transporting waste tires for compensation
- • Processing Facility Permit — Required if you shred, granulate, or otherwise process tires
- • Manifest Requirements — Every load must be documented with a signed manifest
- • Annual Reporting — Haulers and processors must file annual reports with DHEC
The hauler registration is relatively straightforward — it requires an application, fee, and proof of insurance. The processing facility permit is more complex and requires site plans, environmental assessments, and DHEC review.
Step 2: Start with Hauling, Not Processing
The most common mistake new entrants make is trying to build a full processing facility before they have a customer base. Processing equipment is expensive — a basic shredder line costs $500K+, and a full crumb rubber system can run $4M or more.
Start with hauling. Get your DHEC hauler registration, buy a truck, and start building relationships with tire shops, fleets, and municipalities. Once you have consistent volume, you can evaluate whether processing makes sense for your market.
Step 3: Know Your Revenue Streams
Tire recycling businesses have multiple revenue streams:
Tipping / Collection Fees
Businesses pay you to pick up their tires. Rates vary by tire type — typically $4–$22 per tire for standard sizes.
TDF Sales
If you process tires into TDF chips, you can sell them to cement kilns and industrial buyers at $80–$120/ton delivered.
Crumb Rubber & Mulch Sales
Higher-value products with strong margins — but require more processing equipment and capital.
Cleanup Contracts
Municipal and county cleanup contracts can be highly profitable — especially for illegal dump sites and landfill cleanouts.
Step 4: Startup Costs to Expect
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| DHEC Hauler Registration | $100–$500/year |
| Truck (used) | $30,000–$80,000 |
| Trailer (flatbed or dump) | $15,000–$40,000 |
| Insurance (liability + cargo) | $8,000–$15,000/year |
| Manifest software/forms | $500–$2,000 |
| Basic shredder (portable) | $150,000–$400,000 |
| Full processing line (TDF) | $500,000–$2,000,000+ |
Step 5: Build Your Customer Base First
Before you invest in equipment, validate your market. Call tire shops, auto dealers, fleet operators, and municipalities in your target area. Ask them who currently hauls their tires, how often, and whether they're satisfied. You'll quickly learn where the gaps are.
In most South Carolina markets, the biggest complaints are: haulers who don't show up on schedule, haulers who don't provide proper documentation, and haulers who are hard to reach. If you can solve those three problems, you'll build a customer base quickly.
Already Have Tires That Need Pickup?
If you're a business, farm, or property owner looking for tire disposal — not starting a business — Eco Tire Solutions is here to help. We're SC DHEC registered and serve a 250-mile radius from Georgetown, SC.
Questions About the Industry?
Jack Leahy has 30+ years in the tire and rubber industry. Call or email with your questions.