The UK’s Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has written to the Steve Reed MP, the Environment Secretary and offered to support the British policy makers review of the UK’s tyre waste policy. The British government is under growing pressure to take immediate action to end export of whole end-of-life (ELT) whole tyres following the BBC and Source Material investigation which exposed the damage caused by UK waste in India.
Current policy is not only exporting environmental waste but also undermines the UK’s own domestic recycling industry. Currently there is at least 150,000 tonnes of idle shredding capacity within the UK. The continued export of whole ELTs is pushing the UK tyre recycling industry towards collapse. A situation that must be swiftly reversed before this capacity is lost.
“The industry cannot survive indefinitely under the current conditions, and its failure would severely undermine the government’s own policy objectives of achieving zero waste and a circular economy.”
The TRA’s letter tells the Environment Secretary that official figures confirm that in 2024 1,000 tonnes of waste tyres were being exported from the UK every day. Before setting out the offer to support policy leaders get on top of the situation and prioritise steps that can be immediately taken.
- A crucial first step is the imposition of a size reduction qualification on ELT exports similar to the successful Australian ELT policy model
- Tyres properly shredded before export ensure
o promote responsible processing
o utilise existing UK capacity
- Inhibit misuse once exported
“The announcement of Environment Agency’s review of waste export monitoring is the first real step forward we have seen. The opportunity for quick and impactful change must not be lost, but alone that will not be enough. Meaningful action by central government can no longer be delayed. Reality now drives the very urgent need for policy reform. It this can be achieved under Mr Reed’s watch he would be truly celebrated for showing decisive leadership in both protecting the environment and supporting British business.”
