What is a Scrap Tire?
According to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 26·04·08) "scrap tire" means any tire or part of it that no longer is suitable for its original intended purpose by virtue of wear, damage, or defect, excluding scrap tire parts for which there is a written agreement for the purchase or acceptance of the material only when, at the discretion of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the exclusion is specifically given by the Department in writing.
Scrap Tire Recycling Act
In 1991, the Maryland General Assembly adopted the Scrap Tire Recycling Act, Section 9-228 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, in response to Maryland’s growing problems associated with scrap tires. The law established a mechanism for the cleanup of scrap tire stockpiles and for the collection, transportation and recycling or processing of the more than 5.9 million scrap tires that are generated annually in Maryland. Three State agencies, the Department, the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) and the Comptroller of the Treasury were designated to implement the Scrap Tire Program. Their primary responsibilities are as follows:
The Department's Responsibilities
- To regulate Maryland businesses that collect, store, recycle, process, and have scrap tires. Also, the Department issues approvals for substitute fuel/tire-derived fuel (TDF) and solid waste acceptance facilities.
- To perform compliance and enforcement activities to reduce and eliminate hazards associated with scrap tire stockpiling and management.
- To develop and establish on-going systems to accommodate scrap tires which are both environmentally and economically sound.
- To perform compliance and enforcement activities to reduce and eliminate hazards associated with scrap tire stockpiling and management.
- To provide the public with the information necessary to properly manage scrap tires in ways that protect and enhance Maryland’s environment.
- To continue to clean up existing illegal scrap tire stockpiles, using the Fund to expedite this goal.
MES' Responsibilities
MES is responsible for establishing a statewide scrap tire recycling system. The law requires MES to establish adequate scrap tire recycling capacity in Maryland to meet the scrap tire management needs of the State, including stockpile elimination and annual generation of scrap tires. For more information on MES, go to www.menv.com.
Comptroller of the Treasury Responsibilities
The Comptroller of the Treasury collects and administers the tire recycling fee from tire dealerships and then forwards all fees to the Department's Used Tire Cleanup and Recycling Fund (Fund), less the costs of administration.
Tire Fee
The Scrap Tire Recycling Act established the Fund as the funding support for the Scrap Tire Program. The Fund is generated from the collection of a 80¢ fee (effective April 1, 2005) per tire on the first sale of each new tire in the State. The Fund was originally established on February 1, 1992 for $1.00 per tire.
The funds generated from the tire fee are being used to:
- Administer the scrap tire program.
- License businesses and haulers.
- Enforce and ensure compliance of scrap tire laws and regulations.
- Clean up scrap tire stockpiles (Maryland law requires the Department to seek cost recovery from property owners).
- Develop and distribute information regarding scrap tire issues.
- Implement and oversee projects that will reduce, recover, and recycle scrap tires.
For more information about the Department's Scrap Tire Program, please call 410-537-3314
