UK Tyres Intended for Recycling End Up in Illegal Indian Pyrolysis Plants
Investigations reveal UK tyres meant for recycling are largely sent to illegal pyrolysis plants in India, causing serious health and environmental issues. The black market thrives as most exported waste tyres end up in makeshift facilities disregarding safety regulations. Calls for UK regulatory reforms are emphasized to address this urgent problem.
Recent investigations reveal that millions of UK tyres intended for recycling are being sent to makeshift furnaces in India, leading to severe health issues and environmental degradation. The majority of these exported waste tyres are sold in the Indian black market, a fact acknowledged within the industry. Elliot Mason, a leading tyre recycling plant owner, asserts that the industry is well aware of this issue.
Campaigners, alongside the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), claim that the UK government is aware of its reputation as a major exporter of waste tyres for improper use. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) states it enforces strict regulations on exporting waste tyres, including penalties such as unlimited fines and imprisonment.
When tyres are changed at garages, a recycling fee of approximately £3-6 per tyre is charged, intended to ensure proper recycling. Facilities like Mason’s Rubber World have been repurposing tyres into rubber crumbs since 1996, which are used in playgrounds and equestrian centers.
The UK generates around 50 million waste tyres yearly, with nearly half exported to India. Although these tyres are packed into bales for transportation, about 70% of them are processed in unregulated facilities utilizing pyrolysis—a method at extremely high temperatures that releases harmful gases and chemicals.
Joint investigations by the BBC and SourceMaterial tracked the journey of these tyres to an Indian port and eventually to rural facilities where they are subjected to dangerous processing. Drone footage revealed extensive pollution and the presence of imported tyres ready for pyrolysis in dirty compounds.
Field investigations highlighted the health risks posed to local residents around such facilities, who reported respiratory issues and environmental problems. Following a fatal explosion at a pyrolysis plant, local authorities began shutting down operations, although many plants remain illegally in operation.
The growing discrepancy between legal exports and actual processing practices poses financial incentives for UK businesses to send bales to India. Smaller operators can evade stringent environmental controls, while larger businesses maintain regulated permits. However, there are still significant violations, with many dealers exporting tyres far above the legal limits.
Industry insiders reveal that numerous companies openly disregard Indian laws prohibiting imported tyres from being used for pyrolysis. Defra is currently considering reforms on waste exemptions as the UK pushes towards a circular economy for better environmental sustainability. In contrast, Australia’s export ban on baled tyres emerged from similar accountability concerns, highlighting the global challenge of managing hazardous waste.
The alarming trend of UK tyres intended for recycling being sent to illegal pyrolysis facilities in India raises urgent health and environmental concerns. Despite regulations, the processing practices in India remain largely unmonitored, highlighting the need for stringent enforcement and better waste management policies. The necessity for legislative reforms in the UK around waste exemptions is apparent, necessitating a shift towards a more responsible and sustainable approach to waste tyre management.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
