Quick Answer: How Do You Get Rid of Old Tires in Oregon?
In Oregon, the easiest way to get rid of old tires is to bring them to a tire retailer like Les Schwab, Discount Tire, or any shop that sells tires. Most charge a small per-tire disposal fee. You can also drop tires at DEQ-permitted tire collection sites, transfer stations (per-tire fees; check current rates), or hire a professional junk removal service. Oregon's per-tire fee on new tires funds cleanup of illegally dumped tires statewide.
Whether you just swapped out a set of worn tires in your garage, inherited a property with a tire pile, or found old tires left behind by a previous tenant, getting rid of tires in Oregon is more regulated than most people realize. Tires cannot go in regular trash, they take up enormous space in landfills, and they create environmental and fire hazards when stockpiled or illegally dumped.
The good news is that Oregon has a well-established tire management system. Here is how to use it.
Key Takeaways
Most tire retailers in Oregon accept old tires for a small per-tire fee, regardless of where you bought them
Oregon charges a per-tire fee on new tire purchases to fund tire cleanup programs
Transfer stations along the I-5 corridor accept tires for a per-tire fee
Oregon DEQ regulates tire disposal and permits collection facilities statewide
Illegally dumping tires in Oregon can result in fines and cleanup liability
Option 1: Tire Retailers
The simplest way to get rid of a few old tires is to bring them to a tire shop. Most tire retailers in Oregon accept used tires for a small disposal fee, even if you did not buy them there.
Major Oregon Tire Retailers
Les Schwab Tire Centers --- Oregon-founded chain with dozens of locations along the I-5 corridor. Charges a small per-tire disposal fee. Les Schwab locations can be found in Portland, Salem, Corvallis, Albany, Eugene, and nearly every Oregon city.
Discount Tire --- Locations in Portland metro and Salem. Accepts old tires for a disposal fee.
Firestone Complete Auto Care --- Multiple Oregon locations. Accepts tires for recycling.
Costco Tire Centers --- Accepts used tires when you purchase new ones. May accept drop-offs for a fee.
Tip: If you are buying new tires, the disposal fee for your old tires is almost always included in the installation price. Ask your tire shop to confirm. You should not need to make a separate trip.
Option 2: Transfer Stations
Oregon transfer stations accept tires, though typically at a higher per-tire fee than retailers:
Metro transfer stations (Portland area) --- Metro Central charges $30 for the first tire and $2 / $4 for each additional tire as of September 2026; check current rates. Fees vary by tire size.
Marion County (Salem area) --- Transfer stations accept tires with fees posted at the facility.
Lane County (Eugene area) --- Glenwood transfer station and other Lane County facilities accept tires.
Coffin Butte Landfill (Corvallis area) --- Accepts tires for disposal.
Transfer stations are a good option if you have tires mixed with other junk and want to make one trip for everything. Most have a separate tire collection area.
Option 3: Professional Junk Removal
If you have a large pile of tires, tires mixed with other junk, or simply do not want to deal with loading and transporting them, see junk removal.
This makes particular sense when:
You are cleaning out a property with accumulated tires
You have oversized tires (truck, tractor, or equipment tires) that are too heavy to handle alone
Tires are part of a larger cleanout project
You do not have a vehicle to transport tires
Expect to pay based on the overall volume of junk. A few tires added to a larger load will not significantly increase the price. A standalone tire-only pickup for four to eight tires is priced as a small load, depending on size and location.
Option 4: DEQ-Permitted Tire Collection Sites
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality permits tire collection and processing facilities across the state. These are separate from transfer stations and are specifically set up for tire management. DEQ maintains a list of permitted tire carriers and storage sites on their website.
These facilities accept tires in larger quantities, making them a good option if you have a significant stockpile. Some may accept tires at lower per-unit costs than transfer stations, especially for large quantities.
Where Do Old Tires Go? Recycling and Reuse
Old tires collected in Oregon go to several productive uses rather than sitting in a landfill:
Tire-derived fuel (TDF) --- Tires have a high energy content and are used as fuel in cement kilns and industrial boilers. Oregon has several facilities that use TDF.
Crumb rubber --- Tires are shredded and ground into crumb rubber used in playground surfaces, athletic tracks, rubber mulch for landscaping, and road construction materials.
Civil engineering --- Shredded tires are used as lightweight fill material in road construction, retaining walls, and drainage projects.
Retreading --- Commercial truck tires with intact casings can be retreaded and returned to service, which is common in the trucking industry.
Oregon's tire recycling rate has improved significantly since the state established its tire management program. The vast majority of tires collected through legal channels are recycled or repurposed rather than landfilled.
Oregon Tire Disposal Laws
Oregon has specific laws governing tire disposal:
Tire disposal fee: Oregon charges a fee on every new tire sold in the state. This fee funds DEQ's tire management program, including cleanup of illegal tire dumps and support for tire recycling infrastructure.
Illegal dumping: Dumping tires on public or private property is illegal under Oregon law. Penalties include fines and responsibility for cleanup costs. Tire dumps are a particular concern because they create fire hazards and breed mosquitoes.
DEQ tire program: The Oregon DEQ Waste Tire Program oversees the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste tires statewide. All tire carriers, collection sites, and processing facilities must be permitted by DEQ.
Quantity limits: Accumulating more than 1,500 waste tires on a property without a DEQ permit is illegal. This is relevant for property owners who may have inherited tire stockpiles.
Cost Summary: Tire Disposal in Oregon
Industry Baseline Range
| Metro Central fee | Published rate (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Tires (Metro Central) | $30 first; $2 / $4 each additional |
Source: Metro, "Metro Central Transfer Station" published rates.
These are industry baseline ranges for planning only and may not reflect Otesse's price. Otesse pricing is calculated for your specific home and ZIP code, so enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Current Market Reality
Tire fees are set per tire, with a first-tire charge at Metro and separate rates for truck and oversize tires at many facilities. Tire shops that sell you new tires usually handle the old ones as part of the purchase.
| What moves the price | Pushes it up | Keeps it lower |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | A full truck or several loads | A single item or a partial load |
| Access | Stairs, basements, long carries, tight turns | Ground floor or curbside |
| Weight and material | Dense debris, concrete, heavy appliances | Light, bulky household items |
| Disposal route | Items with special handling or disposal fees | Items that can be donated or recycled |
| Prep | Disassembly or sorting on site | Everything staged and ready to load |
Public disposal fees are adjusted every year. These Metro Central rates are as of September 2026, so check current rates before you go. For a hauled load instead, enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
| Method | Cost Per Tire | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tire retailer drop-off | Small per-tire fee | 1-4 passenger tires |
| Transfer station | Per-tire fee; check current rates | Tires with other junk |
| Professional junk removal | Priced by volume | Large piles, heavy tires |
| DEQ-permitted collection site | Varies | Large quantities (10+) |
| Included with new tire purchase | Included in install | Replacing current tires |
What NOT to Do with Old Tires
Do not burn them. Burning tires releases toxic black smoke containing benzene, lead, and other hazardous chemicals. Burning tires is prohibited statewide under OAR 340-264-0060, and DEQ can assess daily penalties.
Do not dump them in rural areas. Illegal tire dumps are a serious environmental problem in Oregon. They create fire hazards, collect standing water that breeds mosquitoes, and contaminate soil.
Do not put them in regular trash. Most Oregon waste haulers will not accept tires in curbside trash pickup.
Do not stockpile them on your property. Accumulating large numbers of tires without a DEQ permit is illegal and creates liability.
Got a Pile of Old Tires?
For old tires, see junk removal. Enter your ZIP in the price box to see which services are available at your address. Whether it is four passenger tires or a larger stockpile, ask how they will be recycled.
Schedule Tire Removal or call us at 541-844-2585
