Contractor’s Report
to CalRecycle
27
Figure 4
Monthly Flows of Tires to Four Landfills Receiving Majority of California Tires (PTE/Month)
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
Imports and Exports
To varying degrees, used tires, processed waste tires (e.g., bales or shreds), ground rubber and
buffings are all imported to and exported from California. Trends in these areas are described
below.
Used Tire Imports and Exports
Used tires that have been culled and graded depending on their type and quality have long been a
staple export from California and other states. Though most California used tires are shipped to
Mexico, they also are shipped to other parts of the world, including other Latin American
countries, India, and Asia. No estimate of the number of used tires imported into California is
available, although relatively small quantities are likely shipped from neighboring states.
In 2012 used tire exports from California were estimated to be 1.8 million passenger tire
equivalents, the same quantity as in 2011. Estimating the portion of used tires that is exported is
challenging because processors and haulers selling used tires do not always know where they may
be sold. An unknown percentage of the used tire (domestic) category that was described above
under “reuse” were likely sold to domestic distributors who, in turn, exported a portion of the
used tires they manage. Also, additional quantities of used tires were likely exported to Mexico
through informal means that were not tracked or reported by generators and/or haulers.
The main drivers and constraints for used tire exports are the same as for used tires (domestic)
described above under reuse. In short, exporting used tires is highly economical because of the
low cost to cull and grade them, combined with their relatively high value (about $10-$13 each
for passenger tires, and $15-$35 per truck tire, wholesale). Because a high percentage of
consumers in Baja Mexico opt to purchase used tires rather than new tires, there is a strong
demand for them across the border.
