VIRGINIA SCRAP TIRE BRIEFING SHEET
The Waste Tire Act, (1989), imposes a fee of $0.50 on each new tire sold at retail effective January 1, 1992. The Act also established the Waste Tire Trust Fund to receive net proceeds of the tax (retailers keep 5% for expenses), and it directs the Department of Waste Management (DWM) to create a Scrap Tire Management Program. DWM has appointed a Used Tire Advisory Committee including a tire manufacturer, retailers, retreads, recyclers and public interest groups to study and make recommendations for a management program.

Waste Tire Act amendments (1993) repealed sunset of the tire fee, set for December 1994. Also authorized an end-user reimbursement by the State, which is to begin in 1995 (Waste Tire Reimbursement Regulation -VR-672-60-1). Initial rate was $30 per ton of scrap tire material utilized for civil engineering, energy recovery or rubber products. Only Virginia scrap tires are eligible for reimbursement, and documentation pertaining to origin must be certified; end user does not have to be located in Virginia. Effective January 2, 1996, reimbursement rate is $22.50 per ton for new scrap tires, and $50 per ton for tires from stockpiles.

Current regulations limit accumulation of scrap tire for more than 90 days at a recycling site and place a limit of 1000 tires on site without a permit. Tire processing facilities and recycling facilities must obtain a permit-by-rule. Whole tires are banned from landfills. Scrap tire transporters must be registered.

The 2003 General Assembly increased the state tire recycling fee from 50 cents to $1 per tire sold at retail, from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2006. The additional 50 cents was reauthorized through June 30, 2008 during the 2006 state legislative session. The General Assembly directed DEQ to spend all the additional revenue to clean up all remaining eligible tire piles in Virginia.

MAJOR MARKETS
Three waste-to-energy facilities are currently using TDF. Two pulp and paper mills are also using TDF. Several other industrial boilers are considering the use of TDF. The State allows shredded scrap tires to be used as part of daily landfill cover. Scrap tires are also being used in landfill construction applications and in septic drainage fields.

Tire Processors Map
Progress of Waste Tire Pile Cleanups in Virginia

STATE CONTACT
Allan Lassiter
Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality, Waste Tire Program
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 698-4215
E-mail: arlassiter@deq.virginia.gov
VA General Info