Israeli tyre recycling law comes into effect
Tel Aviv, Israel - Israel's tire recycling law came into effect on 1 July 2007. The law aims to regulate the disposal and recycling of used tyres to prevent environmental nuisances associated with improper disposal and save raw materials.
Tyre producers and importers (about 60 in number) are now responsible for collecting tyres at the end of their lives and transferring them for recycling. In the first phase, the producers and importers will be required to transfer 50 percent of all tyres for disposal or recycling. Over a seven year period, all tyres will have to be recovered for recycling.
Up to 2009, the target is 50 percent of all tyres collected and disposed of. After 2011 the target rises to 70 percent. The following year, 2012, the target rises to 85 percent, and the requirement for recycling is introduced.
By 2014, all tyres will have to be recovered and recycled.
Elad Amichai, the official in charge of recycling in the Ministry of Environmental Protection, has stated that some 3 million tyres reach the end of their lives each year. Thousands of used tyres are transferred to illegal lots and lead to the pollution of air, open spaces and water sources. Water accumulation in some of the waste tyres transforms them into breeding grounds for mosquitoes, such as the Asian tiger mosquito, which may transmit diseases.
Elad Amichai added that with the entry of the law into force a recycling industry should develop in Israel which would receive the used tires and transform them into raw materials and new products.
The new law is based on producer responsibility and requires tyre producers and importers to remove waste tyres at no charge and within a reasonable period of time from the premesis of their customers.
This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Press release from Israel's Environment Ministry
This article is only available to subscribers - subscribe today
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
- Every issue of European Rubber Journal (6 issues) including Special Reports & Maps.
- Unlimited access to ERJ articles online
- Daily email newsletter – the latest news direct to your inbox
- Access to the ERJ online archive