The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ramping up enforcement on scrap tire storage, hauling, and disposal through renewed initiatives under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a federal law which governs solid and hazardous waste management.
Enacted in the 1970s, the RCRA established the original framework for proper waste handling “from cradle to grave,” ensuring that materials like scrap tires are collected, transported, stored, and processed safely. In 2023 and 2024, the EPA began expanding RCRA regulations and directives to address emerging waste streams, with an emphasized focus on used tires, lithium batteries, and plastics, recognizing their growing environmental and public health risks.
The EPA’s Waste Tire Enforcement Initiative is now zeroing in on tire stockpiles, unpermitted processors, and illegal dump sites across the country, leading to tighter tracking, more frequent inspections, and steeper fines for violations.
Across the South and Midwest, states are actively revamping their waste management programs to align with emerging EPA guidance.
State-Level Crackdowns
In Tennessee, the Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) – which regulates the storage, processing, and disposal of waste tires in the state – has tightened numerous requirements since 2024.
These include enhanced hauler registration requirements, quarterly volume reporting for registered collectors and processors, revised storage limits for facilities, and the expansion of enforcement authority for Tennessee counties.
Neighboring states are following suit.
- Kentucky’s Division of Waste Management recently reaffirmed limits on outdoor storage of unprocessed tires (i.e. coverage to prevent mosquito breeding) and is actively pursuing violators who fail to register or report volumes.
- Alabama’s Scrap Tire Environmental Quality Act enforces stronger cleanup measures for unauthorized dumps, with currently pending legislation intended to grant municipalities more authority to enforce the Act.
- Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has expanded surveillance of illegal tire dumping through its Tire Management Unit (TMU), working with local law enforcement to identify hotspots around metro corridors, and imposing fines and cleanup orders for repeat offenders.
Collectively, these actions signal a shift toward zero-tolerance enforcement on both a federal and state-level scale; businesses that fail to meet disposal or reporting standards could face escalating fines and legal burdens.
By partnering with Traxion Materials, businesses can eliminate compliance risks, simplify logistics, and demonstrate environmental responsibility in the face of tougher oversight.
A Responsible Future for Tire Management
The future of tire management belongs to companies that act responsibly and sustainably. The EPA and TDEC are no longer treating tire disposal as an afterthought, and neither should the businesses that generate, store, or transport used tires.
That’s where Traxion stands out: we provide seamless, end-to-end recycling solutions that make it easy for businesses to stay compliant while doing what’s right for the environment.
From scheduled pickups and bulk trailer exchanges to wholesale and tire-derived fuel supply, our services give tire dealers, fleets, and other local businesses the tools to eliminate tire waste responsibly.
Partnering with Traxion means meeting evolving compliance standards and accommodating the region’s newfound approach to tire waste. As the EPA and TDEC continue to raise the bar, and necessarily so, Traxion Materials remains ready to lead the way… helping businesses across Tennessee and the Southeast turn compliance into economic opportunity.
Contact Traxion to learn how our recycling services can help your business meet today’s standards and prepare for tomorrow’s.