Tire Recycling in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia does not collect tires curbside: book a bulk pickup for passenger tires without rims (4 tires = 1 item) or take up to four a day to a Sanitation Convenience Center.
See all 8 optionsChecked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Ask whether tires on rims cost more.
- Check per-tire fees and how many you can bring at once.
Pennsylvania rules
- No person may give whole used or waste tires to a waste tire hauler without a valid DEP authorization. Source: Waste Tire Recycling Act / Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program Act, Act 190 of 1996 (P.L. 1478) (opens in new tab)
- No one may set up a program to collect whole used or waste tires without DEP approval. Source: Waste Tire Recycling Act / Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program Act, Act 190 of 1996 (P.L. 1478) (opens in new tab)
More Pennsylvania rules (22)
- DEP lists ongoing waste tire collection programs sponsored by counties, municipalities or authorities, plus one-time events and a list of waste tire processors. Source: PA DEP: Waste Tire Program (opens in new tab)
- DEP states no waste tire grants are available at this time. Source: PA DEP: Waste Tire Program (opens in new tab)
- Some haulers or municipalities collect tires curbside as a special waste; residents should contact their provider for requirements and costs. Source: PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
- Waste Tire Recycling Act Section 106: no one may knowingly mix whole used or waste tires with solid waste for landfill disposal, and landfills may not accept whole tires for disposal (exceptions apply, e.g. if shredded). Source: Waste Tire Recycling Act / Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program Act, Act 190 of 1996 (P.L. 1478) (opens in new tab)
- Act 101 Section 1501(a): a municipality (other than a county) with 10,000 or more people must run a source-separation and collection program for recyclables. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Act 101 Section 1501(b): municipalities of more than 5,000 but under 10,000 people with density over 300 per square mile must also run a recycling program. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Residents of mandated municipalities must separate leaf waste unless they compost it; less dense municipalities that ban leaf burning may be exempt from leaf collection. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
- Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- DEP says more than 11.6 million residents (at least 94 percent) have access to recycling, through about 1,050 curbside programs and 870 drop-off programs. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Source: PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab)
- For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
- Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. Source: PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
- DEP: household hazardous waste is unused household products that may explode, catch fire or harm the environment, e.g. paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries and motor oil. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DEP lists ongoing HHW programs and one-time events by county; most municipal programs have residency requirements and some charge nominal fees or require registration. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
- Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
- If no collection program is available, HHW may legally go in regular trash if label directions are followed, liquids are evaporated or absorbed, residue is packaged against leaks, and it is set out in small quantities over several collections. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Under Act 101 as amended by Act 190 of 1996, HHW programs may operate if registered with DEP; most collect annually at drop-off sites, others year-round. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
- Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
- Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
- If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (34)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation: Residential trash and recycling rules (opens in new tab) · City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation
- A property is eligible for City trash and recycling collection if it is a separate tax parcel, stays within weekly set-out limits and has six units or fewer (qualified condos and co-ops excepted). Checked October 26, 2026.
- Tires are not accepted curbside: take four or fewer automotive tires to a sanitation convenience center, or to a drop-off site for the annual Tire Round-Up Program. Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Philadelphia: Schedule trash collection for bulky household items (opens in new tab) · City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation
- The Department of Sanitation picks up large appliances such as refrigerators (doors removed), air conditioners and hot water heaters, household furniture (not dismantled), large toys, flat-screen TVs and passenger car tires with rims removed. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Bulk collection is by appointment for residential properties, including single-family homes and buildings with up to six units; larger apartment buildings, condominiums and commercial properties must use a private hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation: New City of Philadelphia Bulk Collection Program (flyer, PDF) (opens in new tab) · City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation · effective September 17, 2024
- Appointments are limited to four bulk items; four passenger car tires (rims removed) count as one bulk item. Schedule online or by calling 311. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Passenger car tires must have rims removed; four tires count as one bulk item. Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Philadelphia: Residential Bulk Collection Program (press release, Sept. 23, 2024) (opens in new tab) · City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation · effective September 23, 2024
- The Sanitation Commissioner described the bulk collection as a free service (press release, September 2024). Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Philadelphia: Find a sanitation convenience center to drop off trash or recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation
- Users must show proof of Philadelphia residency; vehicles must weigh under 6,000 pounds; commercial contractors and commercial loads are not allowed. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Automotive tires are accepted, limited to four per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Philadelphia: 2026 Tire Round-up Program (last updated June 11, 2026) (opens in new tab) · City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation · effective June 11, 2026
- Registered participants are reimbursed 50 cents per illegally dumped tire (up to 1,000) at designated drop-off locations; residents and community groups only. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
- Act 101 Section 1501(a): a municipality (other than a county) with 10,000 or more people must run a source-separation and collection program for recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Act 101 Section 1501(b): municipalities of more than 5,000 but under 10,000 people with density over 300 per square mile must also run a recycling program. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents of mandated municipalities must separate leaf waste unless they compost it; less dense municipalities that ban leaf burning may be exempt from leaf collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEP says more than 11.6 million residents (at least 94 percent) have access to recycling, through about 1,050 curbside programs and 870 drop-off programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Some haulers or municipalities collect tires curbside as a special waste; residents should contact their provider for requirements and costs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Waste Tire Recycling Act / Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program Act, Act 190 of 1996 (P.L. 1478) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
- Waste Tire Recycling Act Section 106: no one may knowingly mix whole used or waste tires with solid waste for landfill disposal, and landfills may not accept whole tires for disposal (exceptions apply, e.g. if shredded). Checked October 26, 2026.
- No person may give whole used or waste tires to a waste tire hauler without a valid DEP authorization. Checked October 26, 2026.
- No one may set up a program to collect whole used or waste tires without DEP approval. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Waste Tire Program (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP lists ongoing waste tire collection programs sponsored by counties, municipalities or authorities, plus one-time events and a list of waste tire processors. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEP states no waste tire grants are available at this time. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP: household hazardous waste is unused household products that may explode, catch fire or harm the environment, e.g. paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries and motor oil. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If no collection program is available, HHW may legally go in regular trash if label directions are followed, liquids are evaporated or absorbed, residue is packaged against leaks, and it is set out in small quantities over several collections. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP lists ongoing HHW programs and one-time events by county; most municipal programs have residency requirements and some charge nominal fees or require registration. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Checked October 26, 2026.
- PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Under Act 101 as amended by Act 190 of 1996, HHW programs may operate if registered with DEP; most collect annually at drop-off sites, others year-round. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Checked October 26, 2026.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.
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