How to Recycle Tires
Many waste management services no longer provide weekly pickups for tires with your regular garbage, but most communities provide facilities or drop-off points that accept recycled tires. Look around your garage for old tires taking up space and consider recycling. It's good for the environment and takes little time.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Phone
- Yellow pages
- Tire
- Tree
- Measure
- Nylon rope
- Tires
- Garden area
- Soil
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Recycle at a Drop Off Location
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1
Contact a tire store to ask if it recycles tires. Usually, a store that sells tires accepts old ones. Big O Tires and Firestone have drop offs for disposable tires.
-
2
Phone city hall and inquire about special recycle days. Many communities schedule a yearly drop off day for tires and other items that the regular garbage pickup doesn't accept.
-
3
Locate a recycle center in your county. Either find a center in the yellow pages under "Recycling Centers" or search in a search engine. Include your state or county in the search.
Recycle With a Tire Swing
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1
Look for a strong low horizontal tree limb with swinging access. Use only hardwoods such as ash or oak.
-
2
Measure the distance from the ground to the trunk and double it. Add a couple of feet for tying.
-
3
Get thick nylon rope from a hardware or home and garden center.
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4
Wrap the rope over the limb. Use a ladder or toss the rope to the limb.
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5
Raise the tire to the required height. Allow room for the legs to hang.
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6
Secure the nylon through and around the tire then tie a double or triple knot.
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7
Test the tire swing for weight and safety.
Recycle in the Garden
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1
Place old tires in the garden and fill with soil. Tires make good raised beds.
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2
Plant inside the tire either seeds or seedlings of vegetables, herbs or flowers.
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3
Care for the plants as normal.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Check with the recycling center for the number of tires allowed, sizes and costs. Ask when they're open. Usually, it's a free service.
Never throw away old tires in any environment. You risk getting a fine and tires never degrade.
