Florida law regulates tire disposal strictly. Here's every legal option for tire disposal in Palm Beach County — retailers, SWA, and professional pickup.
Florida Tire Disposal Regulations
Waste tires are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under Chapter 62-711 of the Florida Administrative Code. Tires cannot be disposed of in landfills whole, cannot be placed in regular curbside trash, and cannot be burned. All waste tires must be processed through licensed tire recyclers or approved SWA drop-off channels.
The regulations exist for two reasons: whole tires trap methane gas in landfills and float to the surface (destabilizing landfill caps), and stagnant water in discarded tires breeds mosquitoes — a real disease vector concern in South Florida.
Why You Can't Put Tires in Regular Trash
SWA curbside collection will not take tires. Municipal haulers refuse them. Bulk pickup programs across Palm Beach County — Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach — all exclude tires. If you set tires at the curb, they get red-tagged and left.
Legal Disposal Options in Palm Beach County
Retailer take-back — Florida law requires tire retailers to accept old tires from customers. Discount Tire, Firestone, Goodyear, Tire Kingdom, and every major tire retailer will take old tires when you buy new ones. Usually a small per-tire recycling fee (typically $2–$5).
Auto shops and dealerships — most independent shops accept a few tires per visit from existing customers.
SWA drop-off centers — the Solid Waste Authority accepts tires at select facilities. Check swa.org for current sites and quantity limits. Residents may have a per-year limit.
Licensed tire recyclers — commercial tire recycling companies handle bulk volumes for fleets and auto shops.
Junk Force tire removal — for households with old tires accumulated in a garage or contractor cleanouts with multiple tires, we handle tire removal Palm Beach County and route to licensed recyclers.
What Junk Force Charges vs. Other Options
For a single tire, retailer take-back at your next tire purchase is essentially free. For multiple tires — a garage cleanout with 6–10 old tires, an estate cleanout with a workshop full of them, a contractor cleaning out a warehouse — the total cost of loading, hauling, and paying disposal fees at multiple stops often exceeds a single Junk Force pickup.
Our tire removal is bundled into junk removal Palm Beach County jobs when tires are part of a broader cleanout, or scheduled as a standalone service for bulk quantities.
Commercial Tire Disposal for Auto Shops & Fleets
Palm Beach County auto shops, tire stores, and fleet operators need scheduled tire pickup — often weekly or biweekly. Junk Force handles recurring commercial tire pickup on contract, delivered to licensed processors for reuse (retread), rubberized asphalt manufacturing, or fuel-grade tire-derived material.
SWA Facilities and Quantity Limits
SWA facilities may accept a limited number of tires per resident per year at no charge. Beyond the limit, per-tire fees apply. Check swa.org for the current program details. Commercial quantities always require paid disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put one old tire in the trash? No. Not accepted in regular household trash or bulk pickup.
What if I don't have a tire receipt from where I bought them? Retailers still take back tires without proof of purchase — usually with a per-tire recycling fee.
Does Junk Force take tires with other junk? Yes — part of any junk removal or garage cleanout job.
What happens to recycled tires? Rubberized asphalt, playground surfacing, athletic tracks, and tire-derived fuel.