Make sure to properly dispose of tires

Story and photo by Don Doran

U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern


All too often we see old tires tossed away ruining a picturesque woodland scene. The first person who thought a quiet out-of-the-way location would be an easy place to get rid of their old tires, opened a Pandora’s box, leading others to do the same.

Tires are a restricted or “special” waste because they cause damage to the environment. One serious problem is they hold water that stagnates and becomes a perfect mosquito breeding ground; This endangers  pets and local wildlife through the spread of mosquito-born diseases.

Because of the high costs associated with proper tire disposal, tire merchants are required to collect a nominal fee on each waste tire accepted. This helps defray the costs of disposing old tires and, in-turn, helps cover the costs of shredding, proper burning and other approved recycling methods.

Local German authorities have a program underway to try and reduce the amount of illegal dumping of not only tires but household trash, appliances and other improperly disposed waste items as well. These “wild dumping” violations are taken very seriously and violators face significant fines. Do your part by turning your old tires over to the vendor for appropriate disposal. You may also dispose of used tires at select KMC recycling centers, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Auto Skills facilities or the Ramstein Auto Salvage Yard. Some of these activities have a nominal disposal fee up to $2 per tire.

At nearly all locations, waste tires must be removed from the rims before they can be accepted. Appliances and other bulk item disposal can be arranged by calling the City Sanitation Department at 0631-7105-449.  Some bulk waste items, scrap metals and household hazards can also be accepted at your local military recycling centers.  

(Don Doran is the environmental protection specialist with U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s Directorate of Public Works.)