May Old Tyres Be Buried?

Davesnave

I have inherited around 70 old tyres which, although they're causing no immediate problems, would ultimately be better out of sight.

In 6 months or so, I shall be hiring an excavator to do various works, and it occurs to me that I could bury these tyres quite deeply in an area that will be landscaped & become a wildlife coppice. They'd be at least 1 metre down.

Does anyone know of a reason why tyres should not be disposed of in this way? I understand that used tyres are ground up and made into outdoor products, such as play matting, and even chicken pen surfacing, but I am concerned in case anything noxious should leach out of the tyres if they are buried.

stevejking

Recycled tyres are sometimes used (burried) in road construction and flood defences, as a lightweight building material. I don't think there are any leachate issues. There is a little more info if you google Black Ram typre bales.

e-side

In Uk used tyres are banned from landfill. They are not listed as hazardous but they are banned anyway. You can really do lots of things with tyres: sign posts, stools, swings, ...ok you have a big lot there. Have you thought of selling them? Have a look at Recycle Match, where you can sell and buy waste material or contact somebody in the tyre industry has they might be able to provide a waste tyre collection service in your area.

Ben84

I'd try freecycle. You could be surprised, your pile could shrink a bit as people do have a few uses for them. I've seen them used in large numbers on allotments, usually stacked to make compost bins and raised beds. You may even get really lucky and find someone who could use a large number, for example edging dirt bike tracks.

moonrakerz

Farmers use them to weigh down plastic sheeting on top of silage clamps.

Ben84

e-side wrote: »

In Uk used tyres are banned from landfill. They are not listed as hazardous but they are banned anyway.

I'm puzzled now, where do all the used tyres go if we aren't burying them in a landfill?

Davesnave

Thanks for the reassurance regarding the safety of burying tyres, at least in principle, and for the various suggestions for getting rid of them, some of which I'll follow up. I'd rather they went to an appreciative home, but it's useful to have a fall back position.

These tyres were originally used for raised planters and also sunk into the floor of a goat house. Yes, I also wondered why. That Flowerdew bloke has a lot to answer for!

stoozey

our local recycling centre take them, they go in the metal bins.

Davesnave

stoozey wrote: »

our local recycling centre take them, they go in the metal bins.

You may find it's all change down at the Recycling Centre.

Since April 1st, ours no longer takes 5 tyres for free, but now charges £2 each. Also, rubble is subject to a charge.

In another authority I know, a charge of £2 is being levied on every visit to one of their sites, regardless of what is left there. I imagine this is to allow them to generate income in this rural location, or to prove that it is 'under-used,' so that they may shut it down.

frugal_shopper_2

If you bury (or burn) tyres on your property the Environment Agency can bring charges against you under Section 33 (1) (a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which is likely to result in a fine & being forced to dig them up & dispose of them properly.
There is a loophole in the legislation which allows tyres to be used as a building material but it is illegal to simply bury them.
Your local councils website should provide information about where they can be disposed of properly. Only tyres that have an outside diameter greater than 1.4 metres can be buried in landfill & then only by a company with the appropriate license to do so.

patman99

Use them to build a wall.