Scrap Tire Management in Region 10
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Scrap Tires in Region 10
The states in Region 10 have enacted regulations designed to prevent problematic storage and disposal of tires. Oregon and Washington have established disposal laws that regulate how tires are collected and stored. Oregon's regulations are also designed to encourage alternatives to disposal. In 2003, Idaho strengthened its Waste Tire Act by adding new provisions to allow the state, counties, and cities to regulate waste tire storage and disposal sites, and find additional methods for recycling/reusing tires. Alaska has no scrap tire legislation, however, the Alaskan Department of Transportation was the first in the United States to field test rubberized asphalt.
Alaska
Alaska's Solid Waste Management plan includes, but does not deal specifically with, scrap tires. Tires are generally landfilled (tire piles may not exceed one half million tires), however, some scrap tires are used as fuel in an RDF plant within the state, and others are used as liner in an Anchorage landfill. Most local municipalities throughout Alaska, such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, accept tires at their recycling facilities, and some private recycling facilities also accept used tires. In addition, some city or borough governments in Alaska have regulations against dumping and/or a local waste management program.
For a list of recycling facilities that accept tires, visit the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Solid Waste Resources Web Site 
Idaho
The state of Idaho supports and encourages the reuse and recycling of waste tires, with a focus on regulating waste tires to protect public health and safety. In particular, the state is concerned with eliminating potential fire hazards; minimizing or eliminating potential breeding grounds for disease-bearing insects (e.g., mosquitos and rodents); and eliminating potential sources of surface and ground water contamination. In 2003, Idaho passed a Waste Tire Act that strengthens the ability of the state, counties, and cities to regulate waste tire storage and disposal sites.
To learn more about the provisions of Idaho's Waste Tire Act, visit Idaho's Waste Tire Management Web site
Oregon
Oregon's waste tire program is designed to prevent problematic storage and disposal of tires by regulating how used tires are collected and stored. The program is also designed to encourage alternatives to disposal. Oregon law establishes a permitting system for waste tire carriers/transporters and storage sites, and also imposes a landfill ban on the disposal of whole tires.
To learn more about waste tires in Oregon, visit Oregon's Waste Tire Management Web site
Washington
The Washington State Department of Ecology's Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program is working to develop new approaches to scrap tire management. Ecology is cleaning up legacy scrap tires piles across the state and encouraging recycling and reuse of scrap tires as alternative to landfilling. Storage of more than 800 scrap tires and hauling more than 5 scrap tires requires a state license. Enforcement happens at the county health department level and can vary from county to county.
Of the 4.5 million used tires generated in Washington state in 2006, approximately 7% were recapped, 39% were recycled or reused, and 11% were used as tire derived fuel (TDF). The remaining 43% were disposed of in permitted public or private landfills.
For more information on the current status of scrap tire management in Washington state, consult the Scrap Tire Report published in December 2002 by the Washington State Department of Ecology, Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program and the Washington Department of Ecology's Waste Tire Overview Web site.