Tyre disposal

Burning tyres is illegal

Burning tyres, even just one tyre to get a fire going, is illegal. It is prohibited:

in the Waikato region under the Waikato Regional Plan’s Prohibited Activity Rule - Open Burning of Specified Material 6.1.13.4
nationally under the national environmental standards for air quality(external link).

Burning can result in an instant fine of up to $1000 for smaller quantities of tyres and prosecution or heavier penalties in some cases.

Burning tyres is an environmental and health hazard

Burning tyres:

release significant quantities of hazardous air pollutants into local air
produce large quantities of toxic oil, which can contaminate soil and waterways.

Pollutants released may include:	Health and environmental effects may include:
Particulate matter (PM₁₀)	irritation of airways, coughing, difficulty breathing aggravated asthma chronic bronchitis irregular heartbeat damage to the cardiovascular system
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)	irritation of airways and eyes increased risk of lung cancer with longer exposures
Butadiene	irritation of the airways, lungs and nasal passages blurred vision, headache, fatigue and vertigo
Sulphur dioxide	wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath difficulty breathing with particular danger to asthmatics
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)	eye, nose, and throat irritation headaches, loss of coordination, nausea damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system increased risk of cancer with longer exposures
Carbon monoxide	angina (heart pains) decreased visual perception less oxygen to the heart breathlessness damage to the cardiovascular system
Dioxins	can settle on plants which, if eaten by livestock, contaminate milk and meat adds to total dioxin in environment and food chain increased risk of cancer

How you can help

Dispose of tyres safely and legally

Most district councils in the Waikato region have dumping facilities that take tyres for a small fee (starting at just a few dollars per tyre). Find out where you can dump tyres below.
Check the Yellow Pages under ‘tyre disposal’.
When you buy new tyres, ask the tyre shop to take your old tyres as part of the deal.

District council facilities that accept tyres

These facilities accept tyres. For more information, please contact the facility on the phone number listed, or follow the links provided to the council's webpage. The information provided is correct at time of publication.

Hauraki District Council(external link)
Phone 07 862 8609

Paeroa - Grey St
Waihi - Dean Cres

Matamata-Piako District Council(external link)

Matamata - Mangawhero Rd, phone 07 888 5700
Morrinsville - Roache Rd, phone 07 889 3401
Te Aroha - State Highway 26, Waihou, phone 07 884 8831

Otorohanga District Council(external link)
Phone 07 873 7775

Otorohanga - Progress Dr
Kawhia - Lake Rd

South Waikato District Council(external link)

Tokoroa - Newells Rd, phone 07 886 9851

Taupo District Council(external link)
Phone 07 376 0899

Taupo - Broadlands Rd
Turangi - Tukehu St

Waikato District Council(external link)

Huntly - McVie Rd, phone 07 828 9719 or 029 201 3971
Te Kauwhata - Rata St, phone 07 826 3456

Waitomo District Council
(external link)Phone 07 878 0800

Benneydale - Mine Rd
Awakino/Mokau - Corner Manganui and Taumatamaire Rds
Pio Pio - Corner of Aria and Kahuwera Rds
Marokopa - Marokopa Rd
Te Kuiti - Williams St
Kinohaku - Corner Te Waitere and Harbour Rds

Contact us if you think someone is burning tyres

Call the Waikato Regional Council on our freephone 0800 800 401. This line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Include exact location and, if known, who is responsible. Calls can be made in confidence.

Need more information?

You can download and/or print our brochure [PDF, 349 KB], that contains the information on this page.:

Guidelines for industry and local government