How to Get Rid of Old Tires in Boise (Legally)
Got old tires piling up? Here are your legal disposal options in Boise and the Treasure Valley — plus why you can't just toss them in the trash.
Got a stack of old tires taking up space in the garage? Maybe you inherited a pile with a property purchase, or your mechanic didn't take the old ones. Whatever the case, you can't just throw them in the trash.
Here's why, and what to do instead.
Why Tires Can't Go in the Regular Trash
Idaho law prohibits whole tires in landfills. There are good reasons for this:
The Ada County Landfill won't accept whole tires in regular loads. Canyon County has similar restrictions.
Your Legal Disposal Options
Tire Retailers and Auto Shops
Most tire shops will take old tires, but there's usually a fee:
This is the easiest option if you have just a few passenger tires. Drive up, pay the fee, done.
Ada County Landfill (Specific Program)
Ada County accepts tires at Hidden Hollow, but they must be separated from other waste. Fees apply:
Call ahead to confirm current pricing and any limits on quantities.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
DEQ coordinates tire cleanup events and can direct you to approved processing facilities. If you've got a large quantity (like tires from an old farm property), they're a good resource.
Professional Tire Removal
For large quantities—say you bought a property with 50 tires piled up behind the barn—professional removal makes the most sense.
We handle tire removal throughout the Treasure Valley. Pricing depends on quantity and tire size, but we take care of proper disposal so you don't have to make multiple trips.
What Happens to Old Tires?
Disposed tires don't just disappear. They get processed in a few ways:
Tire-derived fuel: Shredded tires burn as fuel in cement kilns and power plants. This is the most common use for scrap tires.
Crumb rubber: Ground-up tires become material for playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and rubber mulch.
Civil engineering: Whole or shredded tires are used in road construction, erosion control, and drainage projects.
Retreading: Some commercial truck tires get retreaded for continued use.
Idaho processes millions of waste tires annually through these channels.
Illegal Dumping: Don't Do It
It's tempting to toss tires on the side of the road or in a ditch. Don't.
Illegal tire dumping in Idaho carries fines of up to $10,000 per day plus cleanup costs. Ada County and Canyon County both actively enforce illegal dumping regulations.
Beyond the legal risk, dumped tires create environmental problems—water contamination, breeding grounds for pests, and fire hazards. It's just not worth it.
Cost Breakdown
Here's what getting rid of tires costs through different channels:
| Method | Cost Per Tire | Best For | |--------|-------------|----------| | Tire shop drop-off | $2-5 | 1-4 passenger tires | | Landfill | $2-10 | Small quantities, various sizes | | Professional removal | Varies by job | Large quantities, property cleanups |
If you're dealing with a handful of tires from a vehicle swap, the tire shop is your cheapest bet. For property cleanups with dozens of tires, professional removal saves you the time and multiple trips.
Got Tires to Get Rid Of?
Stop stepping around that tire pile. Call (208) 593-2877 or schedule tire removal and we'll handle it properly.
Need Help With Tire Removal?
Top Shelf serves Boise and the Treasure Valley with professional junk removal, cleanouts, and demolition services.