Investigations reveal that the UK is exporting millions of tyres to India where they are improperly incinerated in makeshift furnaces, leading to serious environmental damage and health hazards. The practice is largely known and not effectively regulated, as many tyres end up in illegal operations rather than proper recycling facilities. Campaigners call for government reforms and tighter controls.
Recent investigations by the BBC have revealed that millions of tyres exported from the UK to India for recycling are instead being incinerated in hazardous makeshift furnaces. This practice poses severe risks to public health and the environment. Reports indicate that the bulk of these waste tyres are diverted into the Indian black market, a fact well known within the industry, according to Elliot Mason, the owner of a leading tyre recycling plant in the UK.
Campaigners and industry representatives, including the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), assert that the UK government is aware of its significant role in the illegitimate export of waste tyres. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) maintains that strict regulations exist to govern the export of these tyres, including potential fines and imprisonment for violators.
When replacing tyres, garages impose a recycling fee, usually around £3-6 per tyre, intended to ensure proper recycling at facilities like Mason’s Rubber World in Northampton. However, official statistics show that approximately half of the UK’s 50 million waste tyres generated annually are exported, primarily to India, where they are expected to be recycled.
Shipments of tyres leave the UK as compressed bales, but it is estimated that around 70% end up in illegal facilities that engage in a process called pyrolysis. Within these facilities, tyres are processed under extreme conditions, yielding harmful gases and pollutants. A collaborative investigation with SourceMaterial revealed the extensive journey of these tyres, which culminated in their arrival at detrimental processing sites in India.
The BBC’s observations confirmed that many of these facilities in India engage in unsafe practices. Residents in surrounding areas reported health issues, such as persistent coughs and eye problems linked to pollution. The dangers are heightened by incidents like a recent explosion at a plant that resulted in fatalities, spurring local authorities to close down several pyrolysis sites.
Despite the known risks and environmental infractions, many businesses still export tyres to India due to the financial incentives this practice offers. Those operating under strict regulations often find it challenging to track the final destination of their products. Smaller firms benefit from a T8 exemption that allows them to handle larger quantities of tyres, leading to the circumvention of limits.
Investigators were able to identify several companies that admitted to shipping excessive quantities of tyres to India, despite laws prohibiting their use in pyrolysis. Some industry insiders conveyed a sense of helplessness regarding the impact on local populations, emphasizing that concerns about health are beyond their control. The UK government has pledged to consider reforms related to waste exemptions and is working towards a circular economy to mitigate these issues.
The exportation of UK tyres to India is a concerning practice that leads to significant health and environmental risks. Although established regulations are purportedly designed to control the disposal of waste tyres, circumvention of these laws is common, highlighting the inefficacies in the system. A concerted effort from both the UK government and industry stakeholders is required to ensure that waste management practices align with ethical and environmental standards, with potential policy reforms being a crucial step forward.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
