Sustainability experts calls to action tyre manufacturers and resellers
Business Waste, one of the UK’s leading waste management companies, is advocating for a change in the UK's tyre disposal and recycling regulations.
The UK produces over 50 million used tyres every year, which is currently costing the population over £270 million to recycle. Current industry laws mandate responsible tyre disposal to prevent environmental harm, but BusinessWaste.co.uk is pushing for a more sustainable and consumer-friendly approach. They’re demanding free take-back schemes for used tyres as mandatory standard practice across all tyre manufacturers and resellers.
Current tyre disposal laws
Under existing UK laws, the disposal of tyres in landfills has been strictly prohibited since 2006. The Environment Agency enforces regulations that require businesses to ensure their waste tyres are collected and treated by licensed carriers and recyclers. This aims to curb illegal dumping and promote recycling, turning used tyres into valuable resources for various industries.
However, currently there are only three options for people when it comes to disposing of tyres. And all three involve drivers footing the bill. Some companies offer a take-back scheme but only if you buy a new tyre from them. People can also arrange collections or drop off their used tyres at set disposal facilities, but both options include fees.
Despite these measures, tyre waste remains a challenge, with millions of used and unwanted tyres disposed without being recycled annually.
Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for tyres
Business Waste has a solution to this persistent issue – introducing extended producer responsibility (EPR) to tyre manufacturers and resellers. Currently, EPR applies to packaging waste and imposes a responsibility on businesses that produce, supply, or import packaging to cover the costs of managing packaging waste.
The same should happen for tyres. It could follow the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013, where any business selling electronics must offer a free take-back option for WEEE items (wherever they bought the original). This would mean drivers can drop off their old tyres for free at any garage or tyre seller across the country – whether they purchased it from them originally or not.
By advocating for tyre manufacturers and resellers to accept used tyres back free of charge, the company is championing a circular economy model that would bring non-recycled tyre waste to an end. This proposed shift would ease the disposal process for consumers and encourage manufacturers to design tyres with their lifecycle in mind, leading to more sustainable practices.
"Free take-back schemes for tyres should be the norm, not an option," states Mark Hall, co-founder of Business Waste. "This approach will significantly reduce the environmental impact of tyre waste and foster a culture of responsibility among manufacturers and retailers."
Business Waste's call to action aims to set a new standard in tyre recycling, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable waste management practices. The company urges policymakers and industry leaders to support the initiative, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.