The Tyre Recovery Association is urging government to ban exports of whole and baled end-of-life tyres and introduce a shred-only export regime, backed by ending the T8 exemption and tighter export tracking. TRA says following Australia’s model would bring more ELTs into UK treatment and justify new investment by compliant ATFs and recyclers.
As the tyre export scandal continues, with bona fide collectors reporting ongoing movements through T8-exempt sites with little visible restriction, the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) is again urging government to follow Australia’s lead. It wants a ban on whole and baled end-of-life tyre (ELT) exports, a “shred-only” policy and stronger support for UK domestic recycling.
TRA pushes for shred-only exports and domestic capacity
In a letter to Minister for Waste Mary Creagh, the TRA calls for exports to be permitted only where ELTs have been processed into shreds, crumbs, granules or tyre-derived fuel (TDF). Some exporters claim such a move is protectionist and that material would still end up in the same overseas markets, just at higher cost.
The TRA’s position is that current rules are holding back investment in UK capacity and exporting environmental risk to countries with weaker oversight. It argues that a clear, enforceable shred-only regime would give UK processors the regulatory certainty needed to expand, create jobs and support a genuine circular economy for ELTs.
Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said:
“In recent months, we have seen positive steps being taken by the Environment Agency to address the irresponsible export of waste tyres. The UK’s legitimate operators, however, need things to move faster. My letter to the Minister for Waste clearly sets out the reasonable and successful measures introduced in Australia four years ago.
“Our members need to see the The-Australian-Model replicated here, if we are to sustain a domestic industry. If the government is truly committed to a zero-waste circular economy the most efficient measures they could introduce are those introduced by Australia. The case study is self-evident and sets out sensible steps that the UK should follow if we are to really do want to protect the environment and boost our economic growth. The TRA is urging the government introduce these measures to the UK sooner rather than once it is too late.”
For UK ATFs and tyre recyclers, a shred-only regime would mean more ELTs staying onshore and stronger demand for compliant processing – but also a greater need for site capacity, permits, end markets and robust compliance systems.
The Australian model: structure, certainty and limits
The TRA’s call is backed by its briefing paper The Australian Model: A Case Study for the UK, which examines reforms introduced through Australia’s Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 and Recycling and Waste Reduction Rules 2021. These created a licensing system for all waste tyre exporters and, from December 2021, banned exports of whole and baled tyres, allowing only processed ELTs (shreds, crumbs, granules or TDF).
Export destinations must be verified through Tyre Stewardship Australia’s Foreign End Market programme, adding traceability and environmental accountability.
Rob Kelman, Executive Officer of the Australian Tyre Recycling Association, commented:
“Australia’s prohibition of whole waste car tyre exports in favour of a shred-only policy in 2021 has clearly had a restorative effect on our domestic recovery infrastructure.
“This policy initiative has led to improved market confidence and investment in new recycling projects in Australia.”However, the TRA notes that legislation alone is not enough. Despite these reforms, India remains the largest market for Australian ELTs, underlining that “any legislation is only as good as its enforcement”.
Underused UK capacity and regulatory tightening
The TRA estimates that around 250,000 tonnes of licensed UK recycling capacity remains unused, largely because baled tyre exports remain commercially attractive. A shred-only mandate, it argues, could unlock private investment in shredding, crumbing and advanced pyrolysis, feeding into sectors such as asphalt, concrete and renewable fuels.
Alongside export reform, the TRA wants:
- an end to the T8 exemption for storage and processing of whole tyres
- full roll-out of a digital, geotagged Annex VII system for export tracking
- mandatory reporting across the export supply chain
Defra has signalled its intention to end the T8 exemption, and the Waste Tyres Bill to abolish it is progressing through the House of Commons. The TRA remains frustrated by the lack of a firm timetable.
For UK ATFs and vehicle recyclers, the direction of travel is towards tighter permitting, more onshore treatment and higher standards of documentation and traceability. Operators who invest early in compliant storage, processing partnerships and verifiable outlets for ELTs will be best placed if a shred-only regime and wider reforms are introduced.
Sources: tyreandrubberrecycling.com & letsrecycle.com
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