What Is the Recycling Fee and Why Is It Mandatory?

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What Is the Recycling Fee and Why Is It Mandatory?

The quest for sustainable resources has been a major priority in the automotive industry. While much attention is given to renewable energy sources like electricity and hydrogen, recycling plays an equally crucial role.

Since recycling was introduced, car manufacturers have tried to reuse as much metal, glass, and plastic from scrapped cars as possible. However, car tires can pose unique challenges. According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), around 79% of end-of-life tires in the United States are recycled and reclaimed, making tires one of the most recycled consumer products in the country. Their reports indicate that more than 250 million end-of-life tires are generated annually in the U.S., outpacing recycling rates, resulting in the need to “grow end-use markets to prevent stockpiles and illegal dumping.

State and national legislators are constantly working on a way to improve the recycling and safe disposal of worn-out tires to achieve complete circularity.

Most drivers are unaware of the big issue of tire recycling and safe disposal. Each year, over 330 million tires are sold in the U.S., with more than 220 million purchased as replacements and over 100 million installed on new vehicles as OEM equipment. In a couple of years, all of those 330 million+ tires will be thrown away as worn-out rubber. To fight pollution, all states have introduced tire recycling programs designed to safely dispose of the staggering number of tires and reduce the environmental and health hazards and illegal dumping.

However, one of the important aspects of the tire recycling programs is the recycling fee.

What is The Tire Recycling Fee?

The tire recycling fee is a small charge that is added to the cost of new tires and varies from state to state. Since there is no federal standard on recycling fees, states can set their own fees or not charge at all.

This fee helps fund recycling plants, transportation of old tires, and the energy needed for disposal. Depending on location and tire type, the tire recycling fee can range from as little as $0.25 to $10. Below, we have compiled a list of all the current tire recycling fees.

Tire Recycling Fees By State

• Alabama: In Alabama, the tire recycling fee is $1.00 per tire, which means that you will pay $4 on top of the price of a brand-new set of 4 car tires.
• Alaska: With $2.50 per tire, you will pay $10 on top of the price of a new set of 4 rubber in Alaska.
• Arizona: The Arizona legislators set the tire recycling fee to 2% of the retail price, up to $2.00 per tire. The overall tire recycling fee can be up to $8 per set of 4 tires.
• Arkansas: In the state of Arkansas, the tire recycling fee is $3.00 for new car tires and $1.00 for used car tires. This is an excellent example of how the local government pays attention to the second-hand tire market.
• California: The recycling fee in California is $1.75 per tire, which brings the total to $7 per set of 4 brand-new car tires.
• Colorado: In the state of Colorado, the local tire recycling fee is $1.75 per tire, which adds to $7 on top of the regular tire price.
• Connecticut: The tire recycling fee in Connecticut is $2.00 per tire. There is no fee for used car tires in this region of the US.
• Delaware: When you shop for a new set of tires in Delaware, you can expect a $2.00 tire recycling fee per tire.
• Florida: In Florida, the tire recycling fee is $1.00 per tire, which means that for a set of 4 brand-new car tires, you will pay $4 more.
• Georgia: The tire recycling fee in Georgia is set at $1.00 per tire.
• Hawaii: Hawaii has a $1.00 surcharge per tire imported to the state. However, these fees are paid by the importer or seller, not the final customer.
• Idaho: There are several types of fees for tire recycling, and legislators proposed a $0.5 charge for every new vehicle sold in the state. However, some counties have charged $2.00 to $5.00 to dispose of worn-out tires.
• Illinois: The recycling fee in Illinois is $2.50 per tire.
• Indiana: Indiana is one of the states with the smallest tire recycling fee at only $0.25 per tire.
• Iowa: No scrap tire fee or fund is required in Iowa.
• Kansas: In the state of Kansas, the tire recycling fee is $0.25 per tire.
• Kentucky: The tire recycling fee in Kentucky is $2.00 per tire.
• Louisiana: The tire recycling fee in Louisiana starts at $2.00 (for tires under 100 lbs.), jumps to $5.00 for medium truck tires and increases to $10.00 for off-road tires.
• Maine: In Maine, the tire recycling fee is $1.00 per tire.
• Maryland: The tire recycling fee in Maryland is $0.80 per tire, which makes it one of the cheapest in the country.
• Massachusetts: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Michigan: In Michigan, the tire recycling fee is not added to the price of new tires but is funded by a $1.50 vehicle title transfer fee, paid whenever you transfer the ownership of the vehicle.
• Minnesota: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Mississippi: The state of Mississippi requires a tire recycling fee set at $1.00 for tires with a rim size less than 24 inches and $2.00 with a rim size greater than 24 inches. The 24-inch is the maximum size for passenger vehicles, SUVs, and trucks, but commercial vehicles, tractors, and so on have tires bigger than 24-inch.
• Missouri: The tire recycling fee in Missouri is $0.50 per tire, making it one of the cheapest fees in the country.
• Montana: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Nebraska: With $1.00 per tire, Nebraska’s tire recycling fee is less expensive than some other states.
• Nevada: The tire recycling fee in Nevada is set at $1.00 per tire.
• New Hampshire: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• New Jersey: Significantly cheaper than the neighboring New York, the tire recycling fee in New Jersey is $1.50 per tire.
• New Mexico: In New Mexico, the tire recycling fee is $1.50 per tire.
• New York: The state of New York charges $2.50 per tire, while New Jersey is $1 cheaper.
• North Carolina: North Carolina legislators have set a 2% disposal tax on tires with a rim size of 19.5 inches or less and a 1% disposal tax on tires with a rim size greater than 19.5 inches. Since most tires are less than 19 inches, this rule allows N.C. to collect more money for recycling facilities.
• North Dakota: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Ohio: In Ohio, drivers need to pay $1.00 per tire for a tire recycling fee.
• Oklahoma: The tire recycling fee in Oklahoma is $2.90 for tires rim sizes between 17.5 to 19.5 inches. For rim sizes greater than 19.5 inches, the state charges $5.50. The difference in fees is a result of larger tires being more demanding in terms of recycling and transportation.
• Oregon: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Pennsylvania: Drivers in Pennsylvania will pay $1.00 per tire for tire recycling fee.
• Rhode Island: The tire recycling fee for Rhode Island drivers is $1.00 per tire.
• South Carolina: South Carolina adds $2.00 per tire to the recycling fee.
• South Dakota: At $0.25 per tire, the tire recycling fee in South Dakota is amongst the most affordable in the country. Interestingly, the neighboring North Dakota has no fee for tire recycling.
• Tennessee: The tire recycling fee in Tennessee is $1.35 per tire.
• Texas: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Utah: The tire recycling fee in Utah is $1.00 per tire.
• Vermont: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Virginia: Established in July of 2024, the tire recycling fee in Virginia is $2.00 per tire.
• Washington: Washington’s tire recycling fee is $1.00 per tire.
• West Virginia: The local legislators set no set scrap tire fee.
• Wisconsin: No scrap tire fee or fund.
• Wyoming: No scrap tire fee or fund.

What Happens To The Old Tires When You Recycle Them?

When an old tire reaches the recycling center, it gets shredded into small pieces, and from there, the material is used in several ways. The rubber is commonly used for playground surfaces and running tracks due to its durability and elasticity.

Recycled rubber is also used for insulation and road construction and can be transformed into various other rubber products. An advanced tire recycling method called “pyrolysis”, uses high temperatures to break down rubber into oil, gas, and char, which are repurposed into new products. The process of recycling is founded on tire recycling fees drivers pay.

Conclusion

As you can see, the tire recycling fee is not just another meaningless expense drivers need to pay. It is a very clever way to establish tire recycling facilities and make the tire industry more sustainable, cleaner, and environmentally friendly. While not all states currently require a fee, it is highly likely that more states will introduce similar legislation to combat pollution and support recycling initiatives.

The information provided is subject to change and may not reflect the most recent updates in regulations. We strive to keep the data accurate, but we recommend verifying with official sources. Last updated on 02/28/2025.