Can You Put Tyres in a Skip?

No. Tyres cannot go in our skips. Whole and shredded tyres are banned from landfill in the UK, and they need to be sent to specialist facilities where they can be recycled or recovered. If tyres turn up in a skip, they have to be removed and dealt with separately, which can delay your collection and add to the cost.

Why Tyres Need Special Handling

Tyres are bulky, do not break down, and can trap water and gas when buried, which is why they are kept out of landfill. They are also a fire risk, as tyre fires burn for a long time and release thick, toxic smoke. Instead, old tyres are shredded and turned into products such as playground and sports surfaces, or used as a fuel in industry, which is only possible when they are collected separately from other waste.

How to Get Rid of Old Tyres

The simplest option is to leave your old tyres with the garage or tyre fitter when you buy new ones, as most will take them away for a small fee. Many household waste recycling centres accept a limited number of car tyres from residents, although some charge for this and most do not accept tyres from vans, lorries or tractors. If you have a larger number of tyres, such as on a farm or commercial site, you will need a licensed collector that specialises in tyres.

Beware of Cheap Tyre Collections

Tyres are one of the most common items found in fly-tipped waste, often after being handed to someone offering a cheap collection. If tyres you paid to have removed are dumped, you could still be held responsible, so always check the collector holds a waste carrier licence and ask for a waste transfer note. Our guide to your duty of care for waste explains your responsibilities in more detail.

Other Items That Cannot Go in a Skip

Tyres sit alongside gas cylinders, aerosols, oils, solvents, liquids, clinical waste and food waste on the list of items we cannot accept in a skip. You can find the full list, along with the items we can take by prior arrangement, in our guide on what you can put in a skip.