Previous editorial that has appeared in ATF Professional can easily found using the search button.
Alternatively you can browse through the news archive according to the month they appeared. Just click on the click down menu to find the date you require
Environment Agency Waste Tyre review provided extensive evidence by the TRA
Environment Agency initiated their Waste Tyre inquiry following the BBC’s tyre scandal exposé
As EA inquiry’s deadline for evidence closes, ELT recyclers look forward to the report progressing positive reform to current inadequate regulations
Image credit: Shutterstock
On the 2nd June, the Tyre Recovery Association released the comprehensive dossier of evidence they submitted to the Environment Agency’s inquiry into Waste Tyres. The dossier summarises the years of persistent engagement with government and regulators, highlighting the urgent need for reform in the management and export of end-of-life tyres (ELTs).
The submission follows recent increased scrutiny of the waste tyre sector, greatly assisted by the BBC File on Four documentary The Tyre Scandal, which exposed the environmental damage caused by UK baled waste tyres shipped to India. The TRA actively participated in the EAs’ in-person meetings held in Birmingham on the 22nd May, providing direct input to the review team.
Evidence submitted addresses key issues, including the long-standing call for the removal of the T8 exemption, which currently allows for the export of whole end-of-life tyres without sufficient oversight. The TRA has long campaigned for a “shred-only” export protocol, as pioneered by environmental regulators in Australia, to ensure that tyres are processed responsibly and domestic recycling capacity is properly utilised.
Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said:
Peter Taylor
“Our dossier sets out how, over five years, the TRA has been consistently raising the alarm about the systemic failures in regulating waste tyre exports and the detrimental impact on the environment and legitimate UK recycling businesses. This submission to the Environment Agency’s review is a culmination of this work, providing detailed evidence, including GPS tracking data and discrepancies in import volumes, that unequivocally demonstrates the scale of the problem.
We have provided the Environment Agency with irrefutable evidence of the challenges facing our sector and the consequences of inaction. The time for platitudes and one-way correspondence is over.
We must be confident that our submission will empower the EA to finally take decisive action, leading to robust regulatory reforms that protect the environment and enable the UK’s tyre recovery industry to continue and play its crucial part in building the zero-waste circular economy.”
The TRA will continue with its collaborative engagement with the Environment Agency and DEFRA to drive the reform British industry needs and ensure that the review leads to concrete and timely policy changes that the TRA’s members need.
To read the full TRA dossier submitted to the Environment Agency Waste Tyre review, click here.
About the TRA
A cornerstone of the body is its support for the Responsible Recycler Scheme. All TRA members are fully accredited by the scheme, which ensures that all tyres collected, recycled or reprocessed by them are disposed of or reused in an environmentally friendly or acceptable methods. However, markets for tyre recovery continue to grow and develop, and as the EU Landfill Directive is applied right across Europe, a new international dimension will evolve. The Tyre Recovery Association has the independent ability to pursue its broader objectives at both industry and government levels, generate performance data specific to its members’ interests, as well as develop stronger links across the tyre recycling world.
ATF Professional is produced by ARW- Group LTD, which is registered in England and Wales with Company Number 14914439
The views and opinions expressed on ATF Professional are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the editor, publisher or staff of ATF Professional.
Owain joined Volvo Cars in June 2021 to lead Circular Economy in the Global Sustainability Team. The company has committed to being a circular business by 2040 and has financial, recycled content and CO2 based targets for 2025, all of which Owain is working across the company to make happen. Owain previously worked for circular economy consultancy Oakdene Hollins where he advised businesses on evidence led circular economy implementation.
Turning into a circular business and the importance of vehicle reuse and recycling.
The presentation will cover the work Volvo Cars is doing to achieve 2025 but mainly focus on the transformational work towards 2040 and the business and value chain changes being considered. Attention will be paid to the way vehicles are being dealt with at the end of life and the complexities of closing material and component loops. Opportunities and challenges which Volvo Cars is facing will be presented including engagement with 3rd parties and increasing pressure from stakeholders.
e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management [e2e] is the UK’s only salvage and automotive recycling network with nationwide, environmentally compliant sites delivering performance resilience and service reliability to the insurance and fleet markets.The network’s online salvage auction www.salvagemarket.co.uk drives strong salvage resale values and faster sales.e2e’s salvage clients have access to the network’s stocks of over 5 million quality graded, warranty assured reclaimed parts.
The power of the network model means e2e has the ability to influence industry standards and is committed to continually raising the bar whilst redefining the role and perceived value of the salvage operator.Network members adhere to robust service level agreements, against which they are audited, in order to ensure performance consistency and a market leading customer experience.
The salvage and recycling operating environment is evolving rapidly, and e2e is anticipating, listening and responding to changing market needs.Regulatory compliance, ESG, reclaimed parts, customer experience, EVs, new vehicle technologies, data and reputation risk are just some of many considerations linked to the procurement of salvage services.e2e will drive further added value to clients and members through the adoption and application of emerging technologies, continuing to differentiate its proposition and position salvage services as a professional partnership.
