Item: Passenger vehicle tires (standard and oversized) Jurisdiction: Tampa city limits / Hillsborough County, Florida Official sources: Hillsborough County Solid Waste; City of Tampa Solid Waste Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Tampa residents dispose of tires primarily through Hillsborough County Community Collection Centers (CCCs). The first 12 tires per household per year are free as part of your annual solid waste assessment.
Primary route — County CCC Drop-Off: Five locations across Hillsborough County. Free for up to 12 tires per household per year. Open Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM. Bring state-issued photo ID with your Hillsborough County address; you may also need a printed or digital property tax bill showing the solid waste assessment. Hand unloading only.
Beyond the 12-tire limit: Tires exceeding 12 per year must go to Southeast County Landfill where a tipping fee applies. Fee amounts are not confirmed from available sources — call (813) 272-5680 for current pricing.
McKay Bay Transfer Station: City of Tampa facility at 114 South 34th Street. Accepts tires. Fees apply — amount not specified on accessed pages. Hours: 7:30 AM–4:30 PM.
What SWEEP will NOT do: S.W.E.E.P. (Tampa's free annual bulk pickup) does NOT accept tires. Do not put tires out with your SWEEP items.
What you must verify: Whether rims must be removed (not explicitly stated on official pages), oversized tire acceptance, and current fees if you exceed the 12-tire limit.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact | Hillsborough County Solid Waste: (813) 272-5680 |
| Primary route | County CCC drop-off — free for first 12 tires/year |
| CCC locations | 5 sites across Hillsborough County |
| CCC hours | Monday–Saturday 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| Required ID | State-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County address |
| Property tax bill | May be required — bring a printed or digital copy |
| SWEEP pickup | Does NOT accept tires |
| McKay Bay | Accepts tires — fees apply |
| Southeast County Landfill | For tires beyond 12/year — tipping fee applies |
| Hand unloading | Required at CCCs — staff do not assist |
| Vehicle length limit | 35 ft at Northwest County facility |
| Business waste | Not accepted at CCCs — use licensed tire disposal services |
County CCC Drop-Off (Free, Limit 12/Year)
Hillsborough County's Community Collection Centers are the primary tire disposal route for Tampa residents. The first 12 tires per household per year are covered by your annual solid waste assessment — meaning no additional fee for standard passenger vehicle tires.
CCC Locations
| Center | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest County | Tampa area | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| South County | Gibsonton | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| Hillsborough Heights | Seffner | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| Alderman's Ford | Plant City | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
| Wimauma | Wimauma | Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM |
Key Rules
- Free for up to 12 tires per household per year — no per-tire fee within this limit.
- State-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County residential address required.
- Property tax bill showing your solid waste assessment — may be required. Bring a printed copy or have it available digitally.
- Hand unloading only. You must be able to lift each tire and place it into the collection container (about 4 ft high). Staff do not assist with unloading.
- No self-tipping or automated dumping. Your vehicle must allow hand unloading.
- Vehicle/trailer length limit: 35 feet at the Northwest County facility. Check other locations if you have a longer trailer.
Beyond the 12-Tire Limit
If you have more than 12 tires, the excess must go to Southeast County Landfill where tipping fees apply. The specific fee per tire could not be confirmed — the county fee schedule page was behind Cloudflare during research.
Action: Call (813) 272-5680 before hauling excess tires to get a current fee quote. Do not assume the cost without confirming.
Consider scheduling across calendar years to stay within the free limit:
- 12 tires this calendar year
- 12 tires next calendar year
- This only works if your disposal timeline is flexible.
McKay Bay Transfer Station
The City of Tampa operates the McKay Bay Transfer Station, which accepts tires for disposal. This is an alternative to county CCCs, particularly for City of Tampa residents.
Location: 114 South 34th Street, Tampa Hours: 7:30 AM–4:30 PM (hours may vary — call ahead) Fees: Apply — specific per-tire fees not confirmed from accessed pages
Notes:
- PPE (personal protective equipment) is required on the tipping floor. Available for purchase at the scale house if you do not have your own.
- Tire Shredders of America is listed as an alternative disposal site on the McKay Bay page.
- Call (813) 274-8811 to confirm current tire acceptance policy and fees.
Tire Retailer Take-Back
Many tire shops and auto service centers accept old tires when you purchase new ones — typically for a small disposal fee.
- Typical cost: $2–$5 per tire (common in the industry, but not confirmed on official Tampa or Hillsborough County pages)
- When buying new tires: Ask the shop whether old tire disposal is included in the purchase price.
- Without a purchase: Some shops charge a small fee to accept old tires from anyone. Call to ask.
- Caveat: Retailer policies vary by individual shop and change without notice. Call the specific shop before dropping off. Retailer programs are not officially referenced by Tampa or Hillsborough County.
Fees and Cost Summary
| Route | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CCC drop-off (up to 12/year) | Free | Included in solid waste assessment |
| Southeast County Landfill (excess) | Tipping fee applies | Amount unconfirmed — call (813) 272-5680 |
| McKay Bay Transfer Station | Fees apply | Amount unconfirmed — call ahead |
| Tire retailer take-back | $2–$5 per tire (typical) | Call the specific shop for current policy |
Does SWEEP Bulk Pickup Accept Tires?
No. Tampa's S.W.E.E.P. (Special Waste Enforcement & Education Program) free annual curbside bulk pickup does not accept tires. Do not place tires curbside with your SWEEP items. They will not be collected and may result in a violation.
Accepted SWEEP items include large appliances, furniture, carpeting, and yard trimmings. Tires must go through CCCs, McKay Bay, or a tire retailer.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
Apartment resident with tires
You are eligible for CCC drop-off as a Hillsborough County household resident. Bring your ID. Standard fees apply — the 12-tire annual limit is per household, not per property. Check with your property manager about any specific rules.
Renter with no vehicle
Tire disposal requires transport. Options:
- Ask a neighbor or friend with a vehicle for help.
- Include tire disposal when you buy new tires — the shop may take your old ones.
- Some tire retailers accept drop-offs without a purchase — call to check.
- Do not leave tires at the curb or in apartment dumpsters — illegal dumping carries fines.
Business and Commercial Tire Disposal
Commercial tire disposal is not covered by county CCCs. Businesses — including tire shops, auto repair shops, and fleet operators — must use licensed tire disposal services.
- Search for "Tampa commercial tire disposal" or contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's scrap tire program.
- Do not attempt to pass off commercial tires as household waste.
How to Prepare Tires for Disposal
- Count your tires — 12 or fewer per year means free CCC drop-off.
- Confirm whether rims must be removed — this is not explicitly stated on Hillsborough County's auto tire page. Call (813) 272-5680 and ask.
- Load tires securely in your vehicle — they can roll and shift during transport.
- Hand unload at CCCs — you must lift each tire into the collection container (about 4 ft high).
- Bring ID — state-issued photo ID with Hillsborough County residential address.
- Bring property tax bill — have a printed or digital copy showing your solid waste assessment.
- If over 12 tires, call (813) 272-5680 for a fee quote before hauling to Southeast County Landfill.
Safety Notes
- Tires are heavy and awkward — use proper lifting technique. Get help for oversized or truck tires.
- Do not dump tires illegally. Florida has strict scrap tire regulations with significant fines.
- Never burn tires — they release toxic chemicals into the air.
- Transport tires in a clean area of your vehicle — road grime and brake dust can stain interiors.
Official Verification Checklist
- Count your tires — 12 or fewer per year free at CCCs. More — fees apply.
- Confirm CCC location and hours — Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM. Bring ID and property tax bill.
- Ask about rim removal — confirm whether rims must be removed before drop-off.
- Ask about oversized tire acceptance — confirm your tire size is accepted if not standard passenger.
- Get fee quote if over 12 tires — call (813) 272-5680 for current tipping fee.
- Confirm McKay Bay fee if using that route — specific tire fee not listed online, call ahead.
- Call tire shop if using retailer take-back — confirm current policy and fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put tires in my regular trash or SWEEP pickup? No. Tires are not accepted in regular trash or SWEEP bulk pickup. Use CCC drop-off, McKay Bay, or a tire retailer.
How many tires can I drop off for free per year? Up to 12 tires per household per year at Hillsborough County CCCs, covered by your solid waste assessment.
Do I need to remove rims before dropping off? Unknown — this is not explicitly stated on Hillsborough County official pages. Ask when calling (813) 272-5680.
Where are the drop-off locations? Five CCCs: Northwest County (Tampa), South County (Gibsonton), Hillsborough Heights (Seffner), Alderman's Ford (Plant City), Wimauma. Open Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5 PM.
What happens if I have more than 12 tires? Tires beyond 12/year must go to Southeast County Landfill where a tipping fee applies. Amount not confirmed — call (813) 272-5680.
Are oversized or truck tires accepted at CCCs? Not explicitly stated on official pages. Call the specific CCC to confirm acceptance before hauling.
Does Tampa offer free tire collection events? Not confirmed from available official sources. Check with (813) 272-5680 for any periodic tire amnesty events.
Sources
- Hillsborough County Auto Tires — County tire disposal guidance.
- Northwest County Solid Waste Facility — Northwest County facility details.
- McKay Bay Scalehouse — City of Tampa transfer station.
- City of Tampa Solid Waste — Official municipal hub.
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Facility policies, fees, and hours change. Always confirm current information with Hillsborough County Solid Waste at (813) 272-5680 or visit hcfl.gov before hauling tires for disposal.