Johns Creek Tire Disposal Services

Coordinating Tire Disposal with Johns Creek's Public Works and Solid Waste Programs

Johns Creek residents and businesses must follow specific protocols when disposing of used tires. The city does not operate its own landfill or transfer station, so tire disposal requires coordination with Fulton County facilities or licensed private haulers. Tires are prohibited from regular curbside trash collection and must be handled separately due to their classification as a special waste material under Georgia law. Key disposal considerations include:

• Residential limits: Most county drop-off facilities accept up to four passenger tires per visit from residents at no charge; additional tires may incur per-tire fees
• Rim removal: Tires must be removed from rims before drop-off at most facilities
• Commercial quantities: Businesses generating more than 100 tires must use a licensed scrap tire carrier registered with the state
• Illegal dumping: Disposing of tires on roadsides, vacant lots, or in waterways is a code enforcement violation subject to fines

Johns Creek Public Works Department
11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Phone: (678) 512-3200
Official Website: Johns Creek Public Works Department

Residents should contact Public Works for guidance on approved tire disposal vendors and upcoming collection events in the Johns Creek area.

Georgia's Scrap Tire Management Act and Compliance Requirements for Johns Creek Residents

Georgia regulates tire disposal through the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act (O.C.G.A. § 12-8-20) and specific scrap tire provisions under O.C.G.A. § 12-8-40.1. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) oversees scrap tire management statewide, requiring all parties involved in tire collection, transportation, and processing to maintain proper permits. Important regulatory requirements include:

• Scrap tire carrier permits: Any entity transporting more than 10 scrap tires at a time must hold a valid GA EPD scrap tire carrier permit
• Manifest system: Licensed carriers must maintain trip tickets documenting the origin, quantity, and destination of all scrap tires transported
• Tire retailer obligations: Retailers selling new tires in Johns Creek must accept used tires from customers and ensure proper disposal through permitted carriers
• Stockpile prohibitions: Accumulating more than 100 scrap tires on any property without a scrap tire storage permit is a violation of state law
• Tire-derived fuel: Facilities using tires as fuel must hold specific GA EPD permits and meet air quality emission standards

Violations of Georgia's scrap tire regulations can result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation, making compliance essential for residents and businesses alike.

Environmental and Stormwater Concerns Related to Improper Tire Disposal in Johns Creek

Improperly discarded tires pose significant environmental and public health risks in Johns Creek, particularly concerning stormwater quality and vector-borne disease. Standing water collects inside abandoned tires, creating breeding habitats for mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Johns Creek's Water Quality Conservation program emphasizes protecting local watersheds, and illegal tire dumping directly undermines these efforts. Environmental concerns include:

• Stormwater contamination: Chemicals leaching from degrading tires—including zinc, cadmium, and petroleum compounds—can enter storm drains and flow into the Chattahoochee River watershed
• Fire hazards: Stockpiled tires are highly flammable and produce toxic smoke containing sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter when ignited
• Landfill space: Whole tires are banned from Georgia landfills because they trap gases, resist compaction, and tend to rise to the surface over time
• Wildlife disruption: Illegally dumped tires in wooded areas and stream buffers disrupt habitats in Johns Creek's protected greenspaces

Johns Creek Sustainability Division
11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Phone: (678) 512-3200
Official Website: Johns Creek Sustainability

Residents who observe illegal tire dumping should report it to Johns Creek Code Enforcement or the Police Department's non-emergency line.

Tire Recycling and Material Recovery Options Available to Johns Creek Residents

Georgia encourages tire recycling and beneficial reuse as alternatives to disposal. Scrap tires can be processed into several valuable materials, and Johns Creek residents have multiple options for ensuring their used tires enter the recycling stream rather than a landfill. The EPA Region 4 Southeast office supports state and local tire recycling initiatives across Georgia. Common recycling and reuse pathways include:

• Crumb rubber: Ground tire rubber is used in playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and rubberized asphalt for road paving
• Tire-derived fuel (TDF): Processed tires serve as supplemental fuel in cement kilns and industrial boilers, with energy content comparable to coal
• Civil engineering applications: Shredded tires are used as lightweight fill material in road embankments, retaining walls, and drainage projects
• Retreading: Commercial truck tires in suitable condition can be retreaded and returned to service, extending their useful life
• Retail takeback: Most tire retailers in Johns Creek—including national chains and independent shops—accept old tires when purchasing replacements, typically for a disposal fee of $3–$5 per tire

Fulton County periodically hosts tire amnesty collection events where residents can drop off limited quantities of passenger tires at no charge. Monitor the Johns Creek Public Works Department website and city communications for announcements regarding upcoming events.

Code Enforcement and Permit Considerations for Tire Accumulation on Johns Creek Properties

Johns Creek's Community Development Department enforces property maintenance standards that directly affect tire storage and disposal. Accumulating tires on residential or commercial property can trigger code enforcement action, particularly when tires are visible from public rights-of-way or neighboring properties. Property owners and businesses should be aware of the following requirements:

• Property maintenance codes: Storing used tires outdoors in visible locations may constitute a nuisance violation under Johns Creek's municipal code
• Commercial tire dealers: Businesses that generate, store, or transport scrap tires must comply with both city business licensing requirements and state GA EPD scrap tire permits
• Zoning restrictions: Tire processing or storage operations are not permitted in residential zones; commercial operations require appropriate zoning approval through Johns Creek Zoning
• Building permits: Any structure built to house tire storage on commercial property may require a building permit from Johns Creek Building Permitting
• Reporting violations: Neighbors can report tire accumulation or illegal dumping to Johns Creek Code Enforcement, which will investigate and issue notices of violation with deadlines for remediation

Johns Creek Community Development Department
11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Phone: (678) 512-3200
Official Website: Johns Creek Community Development

What Neighborhoods Do We Serve Throughout Johns Creek, GA?

• Abbotts Bridge / Country Club of the South: Large estate-lot homes in this gated community may accumulate tires from multiple personal and recreational vehicles. HOA regulations typically require prompt removal of used tires from driveways and garages, and gate access must be coordinated in advance for any hauler pickups.
• Newtown Park Area: A mix of established single-family homes near major recreational facilities. Residents in this area frequently replace seasonal tires and benefit from proximity to tire retailers along McGinnis Ferry Road for convenient takeback services.
• Medlock Bridge: Dense residential subdivisions with narrower interior streets may limit access for larger collection vehicles. Homeowners should stage tires near the curb or driveway entrance to facilitate efficient pickup by licensed scrap tire carriers.
• Ocee / Shakerag: Family-oriented neighborhoods with high vehicle ownership rates generate steady volumes of used passenger tires. Proximity to State Route 141 commercial corridors provides convenient access to multiple tire retailers offering disposal services.
• Johns Creek Town Center: Mixed-use commercial and residential development where businesses such as auto service centers must maintain scrap tire carrier documentation and comply with commercial waste hauling requirements for tire disposal.
• Rivermont / St. Ives: Upscale communities with multi-car households that may need to dispose of specialty tires from SUVs, golf carts, or lawn equipment. Residents should confirm that their disposal provider accepts non-standard tire sizes, as some facilities only process standard passenger and light truck tires.