Item: Passenger car tires Jurisdiction: Seattle city limits, Washington Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Seattle residents can dispose of up to 4 passenger car tires per load at either South Transfer Station (130 S Kenyon St) or North Transfer Station for $15 per load. Rims must be removed. Most tire dealers will take old tires when you buy new ones — usually free or for a small fee. Important: tires are NOT accepted at King County HHW facilities — this is a common misconception that leads to wasted trips. SPU may accept tires through their bulky item pickup program — call (206) 684-3000 to verify, as this is not confirmed in available sources.
Do not take tires to household hazardous waste drop-off sites. They are not classified as hazardous waste and will be turned away.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact | King County Solid Waste: 206-477-4466 / King County Tire Disposal |
| Transfer station drop-off | South or North Transfer Station — $15/load, up to 4 car tires |
| South Transfer Station | 130 S Kenyon St, 8am-5:30pm daily |
| Dealer take-back | Usually free with new tire purchase |
| SPU curbside pickup | May accept tires — call (206) 684-3000 to verify |
| HHW facilities | Do NOT accept tires — go to transfer station instead |
| Rim removal | Required |
| Truck tires | Not accepted |
| Cost | $15/load confirmed at transfer stations |
Note: Seattle.gov pages were CloudFront-blocked during verification. Tire fee and limit data below is from third-party references to official rates. Call King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466 or SPU at (206) 684-3000 to confirm current details.
Seattle Transfer Station Tire Drop-Off
The confirmed route for tire disposal in Seattle is the transfer station.
South Transfer Station
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 130 S Kenyon St, Seattle |
| Hours | 8am-5:30pm daily (10am-5:30pm on first Wednesday of month) |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, July 4 |
| Payment | Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard |
North Transfer Station
North Transfer Station also accepts tires — exact location and hours not confirmed in available sources. Check seattle.gov/utilities or call King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466.
Tire disposal fees and limits
| Detail | Confirmed Value |
|---|---|
| Fee per load | $15 |
| Maximum tires per load | 4 passenger car tires |
| Rim removal | Required |
| Truck or tractor tires | Not accepted |
| SUV/light truck tires | Unclear — verify with King County Solid Waste |
What qualifies as a "load"
One load = up to 4 passenger car tires. If you have more than 4 tires, you will need to make multiple trips or find a commercial scrap tire hauler.
More than 4 tires — what to do
If you have more than 4 tires, you have a few options:
- Make multiple trips — the transfer station allows 4 tires per load. Make separate trips on different days or the same day if you can split the load.
- Ask a friend — if someone else drives separately, each vehicle counts as a separate load with its own 4-tire limit.
- Commercial scrap tire hauler — for larger quantities (10+ tires), a licensed hauler may be more practical than multiple transfer station trips. Call King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466 for a list of permitted haulers.
- Check with the dealer — some tire dealers will accept more than 4 tires if you are buying new ones, especially if you are replacing all tires on multiple vehicles.
Tire Dealer Take-Back
For most people getting new tires, dealer take-back is the most convenient option.
With a new tire purchase
When you buy new tires from a dealer, they will almost always take your old ones. This is typically:
- Free — included in the purchase or installation fee.
- No extra trip — they handle disposal when installing the new tires.
Without a new purchase
If you have old tires but are not buying new ones, dealer policies vary:
- Some dealers will accept tires for a small fee ($2-$5 per tire).
- Others may refuse or require an appointment.
- Call the specific dealer before bringing tires in without a purchase.
What to ask when calling a tire dealer
- "Do you accept old tires without a new purchase?"
- "Is there a disposal fee per tire?"
- "What is the maximum number of tires you will accept?"
Can Seattle Pick Up Tires Curbside?
Seattle SPU's special item / bulky collection program may accept tires as part of a bulky item pickup — but this is NOT confirmed in available sources.
What we know
- SPU bulky item pickup costs $30 per item (standard rate).
- If tires are accepted, they follow the same rules: schedule by phone at (206) 684-3000 or online, place at curb by 7 a.m. on collection day.
- Tires would likely need to be in a separate pile, with rims removed, passenger car tires only.
What you must verify
Call SPU at (206) 684-3000 and ask:
- "Does SPU special item pickup accept passenger car tires?"
- "Is there a limit on how many tires per pickup?"
- "Are there any special requirements (rim removal, separate pile, bagging)?"
- "Does the $30 per-item fee apply to tires?"
If SPU does not accept tires, the transfer station or dealer take-back is your route.
Tires Are NOT Hazardous Waste
This is one of the most common mistakes people make. Tires are not household hazardous waste.
- Do NOT take tires to King County HHW facilities (North Seattle HHW, South Seattle HHW, Factoria, Auburn Wastemobile).
- HHW facilities accept oil-based paint, solvents, pesticides, batteries, <a href="/wa/seattle/chemicals-disposal/">household chemicals</a> — but not tires.
- Tires must go to a transfer station or tire dealer.
- If you search for "HHW tire disposal Seattle," you will not find tires at those sites.
Rim Removal and Tire Size Restrictions
Rim removal
Rims must be removed before disposal at Seattle transfer stations. This applies to all passenger car tires.
- If you have tires still mounted on rims, you will need to remove them or have a tire shop do it.
- Tire shops can usually remove rims for a small fee when you buy new tires.
Tire size limits
| Tire Type | Accepted? |
|---|---|
| Passenger car tires (standard) | Yes — up to 4 per load |
| SUV tires on passenger vehicles | Unclear — verify with King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466 |
| Light truck tires | Unclear — verify |
| Heavy truck or tractor tires | No — not accepted at transfer stations |
If you have larger tires (truck, tractor, heavy equipment), you will need a commercial scrap tire hauler. Call King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466 for options.
Business and Bulk Quantity Rules
- Transfer station limits (4 tires per load, $15 per load) apply to all users — residential and commercial.
- Businesses and tire shops with bulk quantities should use a licensed scrap tire hauler.
- Retailer take-back for businesses may be available through commercial accounts.
- Call King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466 for commercial tire disposal options.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
Seattle apartment and condo residents can use transfer stations and dealer take-back regardless of their building's waste service.
| Route | Available to renters? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer station drop-off | Yes | Open to all — no utility account needed. |
| Dealer take-back | Yes | Available with or without new purchase. |
| SPU curbside pickup | Maybe | Requires an SPU utility account. Renters without individual accounts may not qualify — verify with SPU. |
If you do not have a vehicle, consider:
- Asking a friend or neighbor with a vehicle to help.
- Having tires delivered to a dealer when buying new ones (they handle disposal).
- Coordinating with your property manager — some apartment complexes arrange bulk disposal.
How to Prepare Tires for Disposal
For Transfer Station Drop-Off
- Remove rims — tires only, no metal rims.
- Stack tires — up to 4 per load. Keep them contained in your vehicle.
- Secure the load — use tie-down straps if transporting in an open truck bed.
- Keep away from heat — if storing tires before disposal, keep them away from direct heat sources and sunlight.
- Bring payment — cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard.
Storage and transport safety
Tires stored before disposal can collect water and become mosquito breeding grounds if left outside uncovered. Store them in a dry, shaded area or under a tarp until you are ready to transport them.
When transporting tires to the transfer station:
- Secure the load — use ratchet straps or heavy rope if tires are in an open truck bed. Loose tires can shift during turns or sudden stops.
- Avoid stacking too high — keep stacks below the height of the vehicle cab for visibility.
- Check your vehicle capacity — four standard passenger car tires fit in most car trunks or SUV cargo areas. Stack them flat, not on their sides, to save room.
For SPU Curbside Pickup (if Available)
- Verify acceptance — call (206) 684-3000 first.
- Separate from other bulky items — place tires in a distinct pile if directed.
- Remove rims.
- Place at curb by 7 a.m. on scheduled collection day.
For Dealer Take-Back
- Call ahead — confirm acceptance, fees, and quantity limits.
- Bring tires to the dealer during business hours.
- Rims do not need to be removed for dealer take-back — dealers handle this.
Potential Fees and Costs
| Route | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer station | $15/load (up to 4 tires) | Confirmed. Rims removed. |
| Dealer take-back (with purchase) | Usually free | Standard practice at most tire dealers. |
| Dealer take-back (without purchase) | $2-$5 per tire (estimated) | Varies by dealer — call ahead. |
| SPU curbside pickup | $30/item (if accepted) | NOT confirmed — verify with SPU. See also <a href="/wa/seattle/appliances-disposal/">Seattle appliance disposal guide</a> for other bulky items SPU picks up. |
Which Route Should You Choose?
| Route | Cost | Best For | Vehicle Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Station Drop-Off | $15/load (up to 4 tires) | Anyone with a vehicle and up to 4 tires | Yes |
| Dealer Take-Back (with new tire purchase) | Usually free | Anyone buying new tires | No — dealer handles it |
| Dealer Take-Back (without purchase) | $2-5 per tire (estimated) | People with old tires but no new purchase | Maybe — call dealer first |
| SPU Curbside Bulky Pickup | $30/item (if accepted) | Seattle utility account holders who cannot transport tires | No — they come to you |
If you are buying new tires, dealer take-back is the simplest option. If you have a vehicle, the transfer station is the most direct confirmed route at $15 per load.
Official Verification Checklist
Use this when planning tire disposal. Tick each item as you confirm it.
- Choose your route — transfer station, dealer take-back, or SPU pickup.
- Confirm tire type — passenger car only? SUV or light truck? Verify with King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466.
- Remove rims — required for transfer station drop-off.
- Call SPU at (206) 684-3000 — ask if tires are accepted through bulky pickup.
- Confirm transfer station hours — South: 130 S Kenyon St, 8am-5:30pm daily.
- Verify fee — $15 per load for up to 4 tires at transfer stations.
- Check North Transfer Station location — if closer, confirm hours.
- Call tire dealer — if using take-back, confirm acceptance and fees.
- Do NOT go to HHW facility — tires are not accepted there.
- Secure your load — tie-down straps for transport.
Sources
- Seattle Transfer Station Rates — Official rates page (CloudFront-blocked during verification).
- King County Tire Disposal — Official county page confirming tire disposal rules and fees.
- Seattle SPU Special Item Collections — Official city page (CloudFront-blocked — verify tire acceptance).
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Seattle.gov pages were CloudFront-blocked during verification. Fee and limit data is confirmed through King County sources and third-party references to official rates. Always call King County Solid Waste at 206-477-4466 or SPU at (206) 684-3000 to verify current information before disposing of tires.