How to Get Rid of Old Tires in Orange County

Old tires pile up fast. Maybe you swapped to a new set yourself, cleared out a garage, or bought a house with a stack of them behind the shed. Either way, you can’t just toss them. Here’s how to get rid of old tires in Orange County without breaking any rules.

Why You Can’t Get Rid of Old Tires in the Trash

Tires don’t belong in your trash, recycling or green waste cart. In addition, OC Waste & Recycling says its county landfills don’t accept tires. Tires trap gas and float up through buried waste, and they collect rainwater where mosquitoes breed. On top of that, tire fires are very hard to put out. For these reasons, California treats tires as a material that needs its own recycling path.

Option 1: Return Them to a Tire Store

The county recommends contacting a tire store first. Most shops that sell and install tires also take old ones, since they already send used tires to recyclers. When you buy new tires, the shop usually keeps the old set. However, if you bring in loose tires, the store may charge a small fee per tire or limit how many it takes. So call ahead and ask.

Option 2: Watch for Tire Collection Events

Some cities and community groups hold free tire collection events for residents. These events often limit the number of tires per household and may exclude tires still on rims. Check your city’s website or call your local trash hauler for upcoming dates.

Option 3: Reuse Tires That Still Have Life

If a tire still has good tread and no damage, someone may want it. For example, used tire shops sometimes buy or accept tires in good condition. Also, gardeners use old tires for planters, although a tire in the yard can still collect standing water.

Option 4: Hire a Junk Removal Company

If you have a large pile, tires mixed with other junk or no way to haul them, a junk removal crew can help. The crew loads everything and takes the tires to a facility that accepts them. As a result, you don’t have to make trips to several shops.

Don’t Dump Them

Leaving tires in an alley, a vacant lot or the side of the road counts as illegal dumping. It can lead to fines, and it creates a fire and pest problem for the neighborhood. Instead, use one of the options above.

Tips Before You Get Rid of Old Tires

First, count the tires and note whether any are still on rims, because some places charge more for those. Next, check whether the tires are passenger, truck or larger equipment tires. Finally, keep them dry and covered until pickup so they don’t fill with water.