Across Tennessee, a problem has been surfacing on back roads, wooded lots, and abandoned properties: illegal tire dumping. In counties like Shelby and Bradley, local officials have reported discarded tire piles that pose serious health, safety, and financial risks.
Recent county news coverage shows these incidents are not only environmental hazards which strain local resources, they are evidently recurring.
According to Action News Five, earlier this month, hundreds of illegally dumped used tires were discovered in Nonconnah Creek.
Despite a conscious cleanup effort at the same site in early August, the article claims a new wave of hundreds of dumped tires were added just weeks later, eventually discovered by local authorities. “According to a 311 report, this problem has been a consistent issue,” the article reads.
Why Illegal Tire Dumping Occurs
In 2020, the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, noticing the problematic nature of illegal tire dumping on the rise, released a report intended to provide local governments with increased flexibility to prevent illegal tire dumping.
“Over the last ten years, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has received and investigated nearly 800 complaints of illegal dumping that included tires,” the report claims.
Despite its “illegal” designation, and imposed fines or charges facing offenders, there are several reasons why tire dumping still occurs and affects rural communities on a national scale.
Disposal Fees
Some small operators and individuals may seek to avoid fees by dumping tires on vacant land. In some instances, an increase in associated fees and costs have led to residents abandoning compliance altogether.
Lack of Access
Not every county has an efficient or affordable recycling program, leaving businesses without clear options.
Growing Volumes
With Tennessee’s booming logistics, fleet, and automotive industries, the number of used tires generated each year is climbing.
The Cost for Local Communities
Dumped tires don’t simply vanish.
They sit for years, collecting rainwater that becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. In hotter months, they present a dangerous fire hazard. Once ignited, tire fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and release toxic smoke into the air.
Additionally, reports of contaminated bodies of water (including streams and creeks) and even blocked roadways pose major inconveniences for local residents.
For communities striving to maintain safe and healthy environments, this is not sustainable.
How Traxion Materials Provides a Smarter Solution
At Traxion Materials, we believe Tennessee deserves a better way forward.
That’s why we’ve created the Traxion Tire LifeCycle Network, a comprehensive system to keep every tire moving through a responsible cycle of collection, wholesale, and recycling.
Our zero-landfill commitment ensures every tire we collect is either reused, repurposed, or recycled into new applications — never left to rot in a dump or a stockpile.
By directly serving our local communities, Traxion helps counties and their residents alleviate illegal dumping, cut down on cleanup costs, and protect public health. Our solutions are designed not only to manage today’s waste but to create a more sustainable system for the future.
If you’re a dealer, fleet, or municipal entity struggling with tire waste, we can help. Contact Traxion today to learn how we can stop illegal tire dumping before it starts.