Salt Lake County officials are warning consumers to beware of tire dealers who claim that tire disposal fees and recycling fees they charge are mandated by the state.
Since July 1, consumers have been assessed a state-mandated tire recycling fee of $1 to $2 - depending upon the size of the tire - but some dealers have combined that fee with an optional charge for disposing of old tires.A spokesman for the Salt Lake City-County Health Department's environmental health division said some retailers have actually increased the amount they would normally charge for disposing of tires because they can "hide" the higher cost in the state-mandated recycling fee.
Tire disposal fees of between 75 cents and $1 are usually charged when a buyer wants the dealer to keep the old tires and dispose of them in an approved site.
The recycling fee was imposed with the implementation of the Waste Tire Recyling Act, which the Utah Legislature passed in its 1990 session. The intended purpose of the legislation is to develop uses and thereby a demand for waste tires.
The environmental division spokesman said, "Customers need to be aware, when purchasing a new tire, that the tire recycling fee must be shown on the invoice and must be separate from the tire disposal charge. The tire recycling fee is required by law. The tire disposal charge is at the discretion of the tire dealer."
Anyone having questions or wishing to report an incident where a dealer combined the fees may contact the State Tax Commission or the health department.