Tuesday 04 March, members of the UK’s Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) today warn the British government of the damage being caused to industry and the environment due on an ongoing lack of action to deliver policy reform.

Recent responses from the DEFRA minister responsible, Mary Creagh MP, highlight the recyclers concern that the new government lack a grip on industry reality. Despite the British government’s stated commitment to bring an end to T8 exemptions there has been no date given to enact the policy, something of increasing concern to industry players as market conditions continue to deteriorate.

Questions in the House of Commons have been raised by Tessa Munt MP. In her response DEFRA minister Mary Creagh was unable or unwilling to commit to action on regulatory improvements, instead the minister relied on the stalling answers associated with the last previous administration. Stark evidence, from Indian tyre trade bodies and anecdotally gathered by British tyre recovery operators, show that the quoted ‘strict controls’ to ensure exported UK tyre waste is “treated in an environmentally sound manner” continue to fail. A very significant contribution to the environmentally illegal pyrolysis plants in India comes from UK end-of-life (ELT) whole tyre exports.

Furthermore, as the EU presses ahead with updating their waste regulations, the UK continues with controls which were retained following Britain’s departure from the EU. While the EU rewrite Waste Shipment Rules it deems unfit for purpose, newly elected UK ministers have decided to recycle the complacent lines of the former Conservative government. Despite the freedoms from independence that allows Britain to set its own innovative and forward-looking policy, that could be faster and cleaner than the EU’s waste rules and deliver growth here in the UK.

Evidence for the mismanagement and abuse of the UK ELTs is evidenced by the call for an end to waste tyre imports by India’s leading trade body the ATMA, who represent 95% of the tyre industry in India, ATMA is recognised as authoritative source of statistical information by the Government. Indian ministries are being urged to ban foreign imports of ELTs which would have a significant impact in the UK with all expectations of an increase in abandonment and fires.

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said:

“As far as UK tyre recovery operators can see, the only recycling our new ministers are interested in is the last government’s out of date lines to take on end-of-life tyres. If the UK doesn’t take the initiative, we will find ourselves in a very awkward position responding to rules set by foreign governments. To create a truly circular economy that improves environmental management we need a viable UK tyre recovery industry now and into the future. Exports need to be looked at and the T8 exemption must end now. We cannot go on like this.

“Current UK regulations actually facilitate exports, to the detriment of our recycling industry and its future development. Further, the TRA are calling for measures that will provide investors with the confidence required to deliver the next generation of technological solutions and strengthen domestic resilience.

“Right now, we have capacity sitting idle while whole tyre exports accelerate environmental damage. Our members businesses need regulatory reform to survive. The long-term waste road map articulated out by the Secretary of State when he came to office last summer looks to be happening on another planet. Reality waits for no man, woman or government minister. We need action now.”

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