Tyre retailers urged to recycle

ERJ staff report (RD)

Essex, UK -- Presentations during the Tyre Recovery Association's (TRA) recent annual forum day have called for tyre retailers to improve tyre recycling rates and abolish illegal activities, a 15 July TRA statement said.

“A number of very positive ideas and suggestions were shared which could help the industry significantly,” said Peter Taylor OBE, secretary general of the Tyre Recovery Association.

“One of the major areas of common consensus was in the support that our retail colleagues can provide. Many felt that retailers should become more aware about their duty of care obligations. This could be achieved in a number of ways such as checking that their collector is registered with the Responsible Recycler Scheme. This type of simple action would help to significantly reduce the number of tyres which continue to be illegally stored, dumped or exported,” Taylor added.

The Responsible Recycler Scheme (RRS) is the UK tyre industry's tyre recovery programme. It is the largest voluntary tyre recovery programme in Europe and currently handles some 45 million used tyres every year. Under the scheme tyres are stored, collected, recycled or reprocessed in line with all UK and UE legislations. Independent audits and full traceability means that tyres handled by RRS member companies can be tracked throughout the disposal chain. Since 2006 the complete disposal of tyres into landfill sites has been banned.

During the forum, the Environment Agency presented their latest initiatives to tackle tyre crime, requesting information and support from the whole tyre industry. Sapphire Energy Recovery outlined how used tyres are utilised as a fuel source in cement kilns and why a longer term approach to their supply is needed. Mike Wilson, president of the TRA outlined why the RRS scheme remains the best solution for the UK market. Delegates then heard about the successes and challenges faced by Spain's tyre industry which has a very different approach to the UK model. The session was closed by Michelin Tyre who gave a summary about their response to the industry's challenge.

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Press release from Tyre Recovery Association