Tires that have not been properly processed in a manner established by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality are banned from Nebraska landfills beginning September 1, 1995. Some landfills may accept tires as a public service, but may charge a fee to cover collection and processing costs. Tires are restricted from landfills as they are not easily compacted, do not decompose readily, consume space and, due to the hollow shape, trap air or other gases in the tires. The result is that they may be buoyant, float to the surface and break the landfill cover. Stockpiled tires can catch fire, are difficult to extinguish and produce air pollution and soil and groundwater pollution from residuals of the fire.
Tires can provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vermin when stored.
About 240 million waste tires are generated each year, and 2 to 3 billion have been stockpiled around the country. To avoid fire hazards, contact the local fire department, State Fire Marshall or Department of Environmental Quality about storage and stacking. Local health departments may have regulations that apply to storing tires. However, landfilling and stockpiling tires are not the only waste management options. Source Reduction Tires are also valuable natural resources.