| Under European law it is no longer possible | | | | their members dispose of tyres in a way that |
| to dump car tyres into landfill sites which | | | | is environmentally friendly. This could mean |
| means we have to find a solution to the | | | | recycling them, reprocessing them or finding |
| problem of what to do with old tyres when | | | | another use for them. Most tyre retailers are |
| they have reached the end of their life. | | | | using registered members of the TRA to |
| According to the Lets Recycle website, there | | | | collect and dispose of their old tyres and |
| were nearly half a million tonnes of waste | | | | will often display a certificate so that you |
| tyres generated in 2004 and more than half of | | | | can be sure they are dealing with old tyres |
| these were either recycled or reused, some | | | | responsibly, however, if you don't know for |
| 15% were also used as fuel, 7% exported and | | | | sure just ask them. |
| 6% used in landfill construction. However, | | | | |
| nearly 59000 tonnes still ended up in | | | | Although most tyres are disposed of properly |
| landfill which was a waste of a resource, a | | | | by responsible citizens, there are still some |
| fire hazard, and a threat to the environment. | | | | people who choose to dump their tyres |
| As more and more people become car owners, | | | | illegally in the countryside, particularly as |
| the problem of what to do with used tyres is | | | | the removal and disposal of old tyres usually |
| set to continue. | | | | involves a small fee. Dumping tyres illegally |
| | | | is not only harmful to the environment; it is |
| Tyres are classed as 'controlled waste' so | | | | also unfair on the others who choose to |
| there is a Duty of Care placed on waste | | | | dispose of their old tyres in the proper |
| producers to dispose of old tyres responsibly | | | | manner. |
| and in an environmentally friendly way. The | | | | |
| EU landfill directive banned the dumping of | | | | What happens to old tyres? |
| whole used tyres in 2003 and now even | | | | |
| shredded tyres cannot be deposited in | | | | There are many ways that old tyres can be |
| landfill sites. The only exceptions to this | | | | disposed of responsibly and these include the |
| are new tyres, tyres with a diameter larger | | | | following: |
| than 1400 mm and bicycle tyres, which can | | | | |
| still be disposed of in landfill sites. One | | | | Landfill Construction |
| thing you as a consumer can do is to extend | | | | |
| the life of your tyres and collectively over | | | | Tyres can be used as part of a Leachate |
| time this can reduce the amount of tyres | | | | draining system in landfill sites, although |
| being disposed of each year. | | | | only a relatively small number of tyres are |
| | | | used for this purpose out of the millions |
| Extending the life of your tyres | | | | that are scrapped each year. Tyres used in |
| | | | this way are exempt from landfill tax. |
| Having your tyres retreaded or buying | | | | |
| retreads is environmentally friendly, | | | | Reprocessed |
| cheaper, and they are just as safe as new | | | | |
| tyres. Since January 2004, it is mandatory | | | | When tyres are grinded down or shredded into |
| for all retreaded tyres to be manufactured to | | | | small granulated bits or 'crumbs' they can be |
| ECE regulations and for retread producers to | | | | used for a variety of different purposes such |
| be licensed. However, in order to have your | | | | as surfacing for sports and play areas, |
| tyres retread they have to be kept in good | | | | underlay for carpets, soles for shoes and |
| condition as they can only be retread if the | | | | even for road construction. |
| tread hasn't worn down too much. | | | | |
| | | | Fuel |
| Keeping your tyres in good condition not only | | | | |
| extends the life of your tyres and reduces | | | | Old tyres can replace some of the coal used |
| the number of tyres that need to be disposed | | | | to fuel cement kilns but stringent air |
| of, it is also safer. Protect your tyres by | | | | emission limits apply to this type of |
| driving at sensible speeds and avoid | | | | operation |
| unnecessary acceleration and braking. Far | | | | |
| less oil is used to retread a tyre than to | | | | Serving another purpose |
| make a new tyre, (approximately 4.5 gallons | | | | |
| less on a passenger car) so energy and | | | | Tyres can also be given a second life by |
| natural resources are saved in the process. | | | | serving another purpose including as play |
| | | | items in children's play areas, motorway |
| Tyre Disposal | | | | embankments, crash barriers at racing tracks, |
| | | | noise insulation, containers for compost |
| The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) was set | | | | heaps, protection for shrubs and trees and so |
| up in 2004 and operates a responsible | | | | on, the possible uses are limited only by the |
| recycler scheme which aims to ensure that all | | | | imagination. |