How to Dispose of Old Tires in Boise (Legally)
By Eric Hinderager, owner of Top Shelf Junk Removal and Demolition · Updated
Learn how to dispose of old tires in Boise: shop drop-off, Hidden Hollow, collection events or pickup, what moves the cost, and why tires can't go in the trash.
How to dispose of old tires in Boise comes down to one rule: they can't go in the trash. You can take them to a shop, bring them to Ada County's Hidden Hollow site, or have a hauler pick them up. What you pay depends on how many you have and how big they are.
How to dispose of old tires in Boise
Why can't you toss them in the trash?
Whole ones don't belong in regular garbage loads here. So don't place tires in your garbage or recycling cart. Your hauler won't take them, and they're bulky waste that doesn't break down.
There are good reasons for the rule:
- They don't pack down well, so they leave air pockets that make dump sites unstable
- They trap methane gas, which is a fire risk
- They hold water and become mosquito breeding spots
- Once they catch fire, they give off toxic smoke and are very hard to put out
Landfills here handle whole ones separately from regular loads, so check your county's rules before you haul them in.
Retailers and auto shops
Tire retailers are the easiest choice for a few from your car. Most tire shops, including the big chains, take old ones for a per-tire fee.
When you buy a new set, these stores will properly dispose of the old ones for you. Ask at the counter what the fee covers.
Quick tip: Bringing eight tires from two cars? Call first. Some shops limit how many they take from people who aren't buying new ones.
Ada County Landfill
Ada County's solid waste program takes them at Hidden Hollow, but they must be kept apart from other loads. The fee usually depends on size, so bigger truck and equipment tires can cost more than passenger ones.
Call ahead to check current fees and any limits on how many you can bring.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
DEQ oversees the state's waste tire program and rules. It can point you to approved tire collection and processing sites. Got a big pile on an old farm? Start there.
Some community cleanup days take a few at no charge. Others ask a small fee. Check the event details before you load up.
Hiring a hauler
For a big pile, like the stack behind the barn on a property you just bought, pickup makes the most sense. A hauler loads them up and takes them to proper waste disposal sites, so you skip the trips. Ask whether they recycle what they collect.
Heads up: It is illegal to dump tires in Idaho, whether in a ditch or an empty lot. Ada County and Canyon County both enforce illegal dumping rules, and fines plus cleanup costs add up. Old tire dumps also draw pests and are hard to put out once they burn.
How much does it cost to get rid of old tires?
There's no single price. These things move it up or down:
- Size. Passenger sizes cost the least. Truck and equipment sizes cost more.
- Count. More of them means a bigger bill.
- Rims. Ones still mounted on rims are heavier and take more work to handle.
- How they get there. Dropping them off yourself saves labor. Pickup saves your time and your truck bed.
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tire retail shop | A few from one car | Per-item fee; easiest when buying new |
| Hidden Hollow | Small loads, mixed sizes | Keep them apart from other waste; call for fees |
| Collection events | Large rural piles | Dates vary; check what they take |
| Hauler pickup | Big piles, property cleanups | Price depends on count, size and access |
A handful from a vehicle swap? A shop is usually your simplest bet. A property cleanup with a big pile is where pickup saves you the most hassle.
What happens after drop-off? Reuse and recycling
Old ones don't just vanish. Processors reuse and recycle them in a few ways, which keeps them out of the waste stream.
Tire-derived fuel: Shredded casings burn as fuel in cement kilns and power plants. It's one of the biggest uses for scrap tires.
Crumb rubber: Ground-up casings become playground surfaces, running tracks and mulch.
Civil engineering: Whole or shredded casings go into road building, erosion control and drainage projects.
Retreading: Some commercial truck casings get new tread. It's a direct reuse of the casing.
A set with good tread can sometimes be sold used. That's the simplest option there is, so ask a shop before you scrap decent ones.
Why do state rules look different online?
Search this topic and a lot of the advice is written for other places. The rules change from state to state.
Good to know: In Illinois, whole tires have been banned from landfills for years. The Illinois EPA oversees used ones, and any tire transporter there has to follow its rules. Texas has its own program for waste tires too.
So that guidance doesn't apply in Boise. Here, follow Idaho law and your county's rules.
Got a pile you'd rather not deal with? Top Shelf Junk Removal picks them up across the Treasure Valley. Call (208) 593-2877 for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get rid of them for free?
Sometimes. Watch for local cleanup days or community collection events that take them free. Otherwise, expect a fee at shops and at Hidden Hollow.
Will a store take them when I buy new ones?
Yes, most do. The shop pulls the old set and adds a per-item fee to your bill. Ask what it is before they start.
Can I put them in my recycling cart?
No. That cart is for things like paper and cans. Your hauler won't take them in the garbage bin either.
Are 20-year-old tires safe to drive?
Related reading: Junk Removal Boise Prices: What Your Quote Actually Includes and Junk Removal in Boise: Old Lawn Mowers, Grills and Yard Tools.
Most likely not. The compound dries out and cracks with age, even when the tread looks fine. Have a shop check them, and if they're done, use one of the options above.
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