TRA welcomes ‘waste tire exports’ report

London – The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has welcomd a UK Environment Agency report into waste tire exports from the UK as a “significant milestone” on the road to reform but stressed the need for further steps to create a circular economy and secure UK capacity. 

The statement, issued 6 Aug, followed the release of the 170-page internal review into the Environment Agency's regulation of waste pneumatic tires and their export – focussing on the export of this waste to India.

The report is “a clear and helpful analysis” of UK waste tire exports: setting out the shortcomings of the current regulatory framework and the EA’s ability to meaningfully enforce these regulations, said TRA secretary general Peter Taylor OBE.

“This is a true step forward after several years of inaction,” added the TRA leader. “It includes welcome initiatives on tracing and tracking UK export of waste tyres, the TRA will work with DEFRA and EA to deliver on these. “

Taylor went on to urge policy creators and enforcers [DEFRA and the EA] to recognise the report finding represent only a stepping stone on the road to the full reforms needed.

“We will continue to work with the Government to achieve a zero-waste circular economy and sustain the UK’s capability to process end of life tires,” he concluded.