The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rid of Old Tyres in the UK
Getting rid of old tyres is a pain. You can’t just toss them in a skip, and if you dump them illegally, you could end up with a nasty fine. So, what’s the best way to get rid of tyres in a legal and eco-friendly manner?
I’ve been in the waste removal business for years, and I’ve seen people make all sorts of mistakes with tyre disposal. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the legal, eco-friendly ways to get rid of tyres, plus some insider tips to save you time and hassle.
Why Tyres Are a Nightmare to Dispose Of
Before we get into solutions, let’s talk about why tyres are such a problem:
- They don’t break down – Buried in a landfill, a tyre can sit there for hundreds of years.
- They’re a fire risk – If they catch fire, they release toxic fumes.
- Skip companies won’t take them – Most standard skips (even big ones like our 20-40 Yard Roll-On Roll-Off Skips) can’t legally accept tyres.
That’s why you need to follow the right disposal methods—or risk a £50,000 fine for fly-tipping. 6 Ways to Get Rid of Tyres Legally
1. Council Tips (Check for Restrictions First)
Most local tips accept tyres, but call ahead—some have limits on how many you can bring.
Quantity limits – Typically 4-5 tyres per visit
Vehicle restrictions – Some won’t take tyres from commercial vehicles
Pre-booking required – Especially post-COVID
For example:
Birmingham tips take tyres but only a few per visit.
Manchester recycling centres have specific rules.
London boroughs vary, so check before you go.
Our tip: Ring your local tip before loading up the car. Dave from our Leeds depot saved a customer a wasted trip last month when we spotted their nearest centre had stopped taking tyres.
2. The Garage Swap Trick
If you’re buying new tyres, the garage must take your old ones under UK law (though some charge a small fee).
The garage took the old ones for free. Many will:
✔ Take them free when fitting new tyres
✔ Charge £2-£5 per tyre if you’re not buying
✔ Refuse if they’re not from their shop
Pro tip: Ask about their recycling policy when buying new tyres – some places will knock a few quid off if you bring in your old set.
Under UK law, tyre retailers are required to accept old tyres when fitting new ones as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which ensures proper recycling.
3. Use a Licensed Tyre Recycling Centre
Recycling is one of the best and most eco-friendly ways to dispose of old tyres. There are specialist firms that only deal with tyre disposal. They shred them down for things like:
Playground surfaces
Rubberised asphalt for roads
Even fuel for cement kilns
A quick search for “tyre recycling near me” should find your local options. Prices vary, but expect to pay £5-10 per car tyre.
Cost: Maximum councils offer free tyre recycling, but there may be a small fee for disposing of large numbers of tyres or certain types of tyres
4. Book a Council Bulky Waste Collection
If you can’t transport them yourself, most councils offer a collection service. Here’s what you need to know:
Costs range from £10-25 per item (some count 4 tyres as one “item”)
Waiting times can be 2-3 weeks in busy periods
Preparation is key – tyres usually need to be stacked neatly at an accessible location
I recently helped a customer in Kent arrange this – their council charged £15 for up to 5 tyres collected from their driveway. Not bad when you consider the alternative is hiring a van!
5. Sell or Give Them Away
If your tyres still have decent tread:
Sell them on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree (off-roaders love cheap part-worns).
Offer them to a local mechanic school for training.
Some artists even use them for DIY projects (tyre swings, planters, etc.).
Just last month, we helped a school in Dartford source free tyres for their new obstacle course!
6. Commercial Waste Solutions for Bulk Tyres
If you’re dealing with dozens of tyres (maybe from a garage clear-out), you’ll need:
A grab lorry for transport
A licensed tyre processing facility
Proper waste transfer notes
We recently handled a fleet disposal for a taxi company in London – 200+ tyres needed special handling and paperwork. Prices for bulk tyre disposal typically range from £100 to £200 per tonne depending on the collector and location.
The Big No-Nos of Tyre Disposal
🚫 Don’t dump them in a skip – Most skips (even our 8-yard or 12-yard ones) won’t take tyres.
Check what you can and can’t put in a skip first.
🚫 Never burn them – The smoke is toxic and could land you in serious trouble.
🚫 Avoid fly-tipping – Councils do prosecute, and fines can hit £50,000.
What Happens to Recycled Tyres?
We took a tour of a Yorkshire recycling plant last year – here’s where your old tyres might end up:
- 40% become playground flooring
- 30% get shredded for road surfaces
- 20% are used in cement kilns
- 10% get retreaded
Recycling tyres helps reduce waste and provides valuable materials for new products, from playground surfaces to energy recovery.
“But What If…?” – Your Questions Answered
Can I bury tyres on my farm?
Technically no, but we know a Lancashire farmer who got permission to use them as silage clamp weights – check with the Environment Agency first.
My local tip won’t take tyres with rims – help!
Grab a crowbar or pay a mechanic £5-£10 to remove them. Some scrap metal yards will take the rims too.
I’ve got 200+ tyres – what now?
You’ll need a specialist collector. We work with licensed firms who charge about £120 per tonne (roughly 100 passenger tyres).
Need a Hand? Here’s How We Can Help
We might not be able to take tyres in our skips, but after 10 years in the waste game, we know every legal disposal route in the UK.
Whether you’ve got:
- A couple of car tyres in your garage
- A stack of tractor tyres on your farm
- A whole warehouse of commercial tyres
We’ll put you in touch with the right solution.
Final Tip: Plan Ahead
If you’re replacing tyres soon, ask the fitter about disposal before they start—some include recycling in the price.
Got a stack of old tyres? Call a specialist rather than risk illegal dumping. It’s cheaper than a fine!
Need help with other waste? We’ve got skips across the UK for everything except tyres.
📞 Call our team on 0800 260 5989 for straight-talking advice
💻 Get a same-day quote😉
