Proper Tire Disposal in Edmonton, AB: Where to Drop Off Your Old Tires
Have a stack of old tires taking up space in your garage? You’re not alone. Each year, thousands of scrap tires are generated in Edmonton from seasonal changeovers, vehicle upgrades, and normal wear and tear. But here’s the good news: We have several super convenient options for getting rid of those used tires responsibly—and mostly, they won’t cost you a cent.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about tire disposal in Edmonton, from free drop-off locations to what happens to your tires after you leave them behind.
Why Proper Tire Disposal Matters in Edmonton
Before we discuss where and how to dispose of old tires, let’s first address why they can’t simply be tossed willy-nilly into the black bin. Tires are made of synthetic rubber, steel, and many chemicals that do not break down naturally. When they are sent to the landfill, they guarantee two things:
- A perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes (which are not just a nuisance, but can carry viruses like the one that causes West Nile disease)
- An opportunity for harmful chemicals to leach into our soil and water
In Edmonton, AB, you can’t throw tires in the regular garbage or leave them on public property; it’s against the law. The fines for doing so start at $250 and can go much higher for repeat offenses. Risking tax-imposed penalties is unnecessary when there are so many free options for used tire disposal in Edmonton.
Your Main Options: 4 Eco Stations in Edmonton, AB
The easiest way for most Edmontonians to get rid of old tires is through the City’s Eco Stations (waste disposal locations). These facilities accept tires from residents for free, no questions asked (well, except maybe “how many tires do you have?”).
Edmonton has four Eco Stations spread across the city:
- Ambleside Eco Station (14710 Ellerslie Road SW, AB T6W 1A4, Open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday)
- Coronation Eco Station (11440 143 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 1V6, Same hours as Ambleside)
- Kennedale Eco Station (5355 127 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5A 0B4, The northside’s go-to spot)
- Strathcona Eco Station (5150 99 Street NW, AB T6E 3N7, Convenient for south-central residents)
Alberta Environmental Rubber Products
If the Eco Stations do not correspond to your schedule or you possess a larger quantity of tires, visit Alberta Environmental Rubber Products (AERP) at 13520 170 St NW. This location is, in fact, the final destination for many of the tires collected by Edmonton, AB. AERP accepts public drop-offs of tires, and they do not charge.
AERP recycles millions of tires every year. Their methods yield more than enough rubber crumb to cover every inch of playgrounds, make tracks for the most elite of runners, and even place it into the pavement to make our roads smoother. They’re open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays from 8 AM to noon. If you have an unusual number of tires, or if the tires you’re asking about are for commercial purposes, this is the number to call.
Tire Shops and Retailers: The Convenient Option
Most tire retailers in Edmonton will take your old ones when you purchase replacements. This includes major chains like:
- Canadian Tire (all Edmonton locations)
- Kal Tire
- Fountain Tire
- Costco Tire Centre
- OK Tire
Even if you’re not buying new tires, many shops will accept old ones for a small fee, usually $5 to $10 per tire. Some independent shops might even take them for free if you ask nicely and they’re not swamped. It never hurts to call ahead and check.
What Tires You Can Drop Off
Most drop-off locations accept:
- Regular passenger car tires
- Light truck and SUV tires
- Motorcycle tires
- ATV and small off-road vehicle tires
- Bicycle tires (yes, even these need proper disposal)
What they typically won’t take:
- Giant commercial truck tires (these need special handling)
- Industrial or heavy equipment tires
- Tires filled with foam or other materials
- Extremely damaged or contaminated tires
About those rims—policies vary by location. Eco Stations prefer tires without rims, but AERP and many tire shops will accept them either way. If you’re keeping the rims, most tire shops can remove them for about $10-15 per tire.
Getting Your Tires Ready for Drop-Off
You don’t need to do much prep work, but a few simple steps will make your drop-off smoother:
First, give your tires a quick look-over. Remove any obvious debris like nails or large rocks. If they’re caked in mud, a quick rinse helps (though it’s not required at most locations).
For transportation, remember that even “empty” tires can be dirty. Throw down a tarp or old blanket in your vehicle to protect the interior. Most cars can handle 4-6 loose tires in the trunk or back seat. Got a bigger load? Consider borrowing a friend’s truck or renting a small trailer.
What Does Tire Disposal Cost?
Here’s the breakdown of disposal costs in Edmonton:
Free options:
- City Eco Stations (residents only, up to 4 tires per visit)
- AERP facility (for reasonable quantities)
- When buying new tires at most retailers
Fee-based options:
- Tire shops (disposal only): $5-10 per tire
- Junk removal services: $50-100 minimum
- Commercial disposal: $3-5 per passenger tire, more for larger sizes
Remember, you’ve already paid for tire recycling through the Environmental Handling Charge (EHC) when you bought your tires. This provincial fee funds the recycling program, which is why so many drop-off options are free.
What Happens to Your Old Tires?
Once you drop off your tires, they begin an interesting journey. At facilities like AERP, massive shredders break down whole tires into chunks, then into smaller crumb rubber pieces. Powerful magnets pull out the steel belting (which gets recycled separately), and the rubber gets sorted by size.
This recycled rubber shows up in surprising places around Edmonton:
- Those squishy playground surfaces at local parks
- Running tracks at schools and rec centres
- Noise barriers along Anthony Henday Drive
- Mixed into asphalt for longer-lasting roads
In 2023 alone, Alberta recycled over 4.5 million tires—enough to circle the province if laid end to end. Your old tires might become part of the playground where your kids play or the road you drive to work.
Making Tire Disposal Easy in Edmonton
Dealing with old tires doesn’t have to be complicated. With four Eco Stations, a major recycling facility, dozens of tire shops, and mobile pickup options, Edmonton makes responsible tire disposal pretty straightforward. The key is planning—know where you’re going, what they accept, and what (if anything) it’ll cost.
Next time you’re doing that seasonal tire swap or finally clearing out the garage, you’ll know exactly where those old tires can go. And you can feel good knowing they’ll be transformed into something useful instead of taking up space in a landfill.
Need to dispose of other renovation waste or household junk along with those tires? Property Smart offers convenient dumpster rentals throughout Edmonton with transparent pricing and same-day service. Give us a call at 780-699-8373 or get an instant quote online—we’ll help you figure out the most efficient way to handle all your disposal needs, tires included.