Every year, approximately 300 million waste tires are generated in the United States. The question of what to do with them matters enormously — for the environment, for public health, and for the economy. Here's the case for recycling over landfill disposal.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Recycling | Landfill |
|---|---|---|
| Landfill Space Used | None | Significant |
| Fire Hazard | Eliminated | Major risk |
| Mosquito Breeding | Eliminated | Ongoing risk |
| Toxic Leaching | Prevented | Ongoing concern |
| Material Recovery | High value | Zero |
| Legal in SC | Yes | Restricted |
| Carbon Footprint | Lower | Higher |
| Economic Value | Creates jobs & products | None |
1. Tires Don't Decompose in Landfills
A tire buried in a landfill will still be there 1,000 years from now. Rubber doesn't biodegrade — it just sits there, taking up space. And because tires are round, they tend to "bubble up" through landfill material over time, creating ongoing maintenance problems.
In fact, many landfills in South Carolina and across the country have restrictions on accepting whole tires for exactly this reason. SC DHEC regulations limit how tires can be disposed of at landfills — they must be shredded first in most cases.
2. Tire Fires Are Catastrophic
Tire stockpiles — whether in landfills or illegal dump sites — are extreme fire hazards. Tire fires burn at temperatures exceeding 1,000°F and are nearly impossible to extinguish. They can burn for weeks or months, releasing massive amounts of toxic smoke, oil, and chemicals into the air and groundwater.
Real Cost of a Tire Fire
A single tire fire can cost millions of dollars to contain, cause permanent groundwater contamination, and require years of environmental remediation. Recycling eliminates this risk entirely.
3. Recycled Tires Create Valuable Products
When tires are recycled instead of landfilled, they become valuable raw materials:
🔥 Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF)
Higher BTU content than coal. Used in cement kilns and industrial boilers to offset fossil fuel use.
⚽ Crumb Rubber
Used in playground surfacing, sports turf, rubberized asphalt, and molded rubber products.
🌿 Rubber Mulch
Long-lasting landscaping mulch that lasts 10+ years without decomposing.
🏗️ Rubber Mats & Products
Gym mats, horse stall mats, anti-fatigue flooring, and industrial products.
4. South Carolina Law Restricts Tire Landfilling
Under SC DHEC Regulation 61-107.3, whole tires cannot simply be dumped in a landfill in South Carolina. Tires must be managed by registered haulers, processed at permitted facilities, and directed to approved end markets.
This means recycling isn't just the better option — for most businesses, it's the legally required option. Working with a SC DHEC registered hauler like Eco Tire Solutions ensures you're always in compliance.
5. Recycling Creates Local Jobs
The tire recycling industry creates real jobs — drivers, plant operators, equipment technicians, and sales staff. Eco Tire Solutions is building a processing facility in Georgetown County that will employ 15 people in Year 1 and 50+ by Year 3. Landfilling creates none of these jobs.
The Bottom Line
Recycling is better than landfilling in every measurable way — environmentally, economically, and legally. If you have waste tires in South Carolina, the right move is to work with a registered hauler who will ensure they're recycled responsibly.
Ready to Recycle Your Tires the Right Way?
Eco Tire Solutions picks up waste tires across South Carolina — fast, legal, and fully documented.