Washington State increases waste tire fee from $1 to $5

Starting in January, Washington State’s waste tire fee will increase from $1 to $5 per tire following legislation signed by the governor in April. 

Senate Bill 5801 increased the fee on retail sales of new replacement vehicle tires. The fee is paid by the tire buyer to the seller, the bill says. The seller must then pay the fee to the Washington Department of Revenue. 

According to the Washington Retail Association, retailers across the state are raising concerns about whether the state is dedicating sufficient funds as it is raising fees to properly manage waste tires. 

“Despite the fivefold fee increase, the legislature is reducing the amount dedicated to waste tire management from $1 million to $600,000 per year,” a release from the association says. 

The Waste Tire Account was established in 2025 as a temporary charge to fund the cleanup of illegal tire piles statewide, the release says. The $1 fee was made permanent in 2009. At the same time, the legislature began diverting funds above $1 million per year to the Motor Vehicle Fund for road maintenance. 

The state’s Department of Ecology website shows that $4 million was spent in 2007 to clean up 32,671 tons of tires. Another $1 million was spent in 2008 on 8,111 tons and $2 million on 11,217 tons in 2009. 

The amount spent annually since 2010 has been between $112,000 and $860,000. 

“Tire retailers report they still see illegal tire piles in parts of the state and are concerned that the new $600,000 limit will further constrain Ecology’s ability to address waste tire issues,” the association’s release says. 

The association notes that it is seeking clarity from the Department of Ecology regarding funding adequacy for waste tire management. It also added that it will share a short questionnaire with tire members to better understand their waste tire management on-the-ground experiences.

IMAGE

Photo courtesy of Anna Reshetnikova/iStock