Managing Used and Scrap Tires: Regulated Activities and Requirements

Find regulatory and application requirements for scrap tire generators, transporters, and storage sites; scrap tire facilities including energy recovery from tires, recycling, processing, and thermal decomposition operations; and for using tires in land reclamation projects.

NEWPlease submit your application using the Scrap Tire Program’s Secure File Drop through TCEQ Send. For instructions on using TCEQ Send, please visit the TCEQ Send Help Page.

Generators

Tire retailers, automotive dismantlers, fleet operators, wholesalers, manufacturers, and recappers or retreaders must register with the TCEQ if on‑site storage exceeds certain thresholds.

Transporters

Transporters collect and transport used or scrap tires or tire pieces for storage, processing, recycling, or energy recovery. All transporters, with a few exceptions, must register with the TCEQ.

Scrap Tire Storage Sites

You must register with the TCEQ if your used or scrap tire storage site stores more than 500 used or scrap tires on the ground, or more than 2,000 in enclosed and lockable containers.

Scrap Tire Facilities

You may need to register with the TCEQ if your scrap tire facility operations include energy recovery from tires, thermal decomposition, recycling, or processing. Processing includes activities such as cutting, grinding, shredding, baling, crushing, splitting, and recapping or retreading. Your facility may also need to register as a storage site if you exceed certain quantity thresholds.

Land Reclamation Projects Using Tires

You must register with the TCEQ if you use tire pieces to fill, improve, or reclaim already excavated or disturbed land for the purpose of restoring the land to its approximate natural grade.