Waste Tyre Recycling

Waste tyre recycling in Scotland

UKR provides expert policy and information on waste tyre recycling. We offer clear and critical information through extensive research using UK and EU legislation in regards to waste management and tyre recycling. UKR works closely with local authorities, businesses and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency SEPA as part of our integrated and effective environmental policy which supports sensible and workable situations to pressing environmental challenges. Whilst doing our utmost to improve our environment.

In 1999 the Directive on the Landfill of Waste was established which banned the landfill of whole tyres from 2003 and shredded tyres from 2006. Exceptions were granted for bicycle tyres and off-the-road (OTR) tyres. Prior to this, waste tyres were primarily disposed of at landfills, where they presented a significant environmental concern. These concerns related to the demands made on landfill space and the destabilisation of landfilled ground, as well as the potential for subsurface fires.

At the time that the directive was established, it was estimated that 120,000 tonnes (28%) of the UK’s annual ELT arisings were directed to landfills. In Scotland, 14,500 tonnes (45%) of its annual ELT arisings were being directed to landfills. A number of other legislations describe the definitions and concepts that are related to the management of waste tyres. For example, EU Directives 75/442/EEC[5] and 2008/98/EC classify ELTs as non-hazardous waste, but also permit their declassification as waste when recovered for a purpose that has a market demand and that is practicable within existing technical and legislative requirements.