The move by the Environment Agency to control waste tyre exports started on the 1st October and is already having an impact
Initial reports from some recyclers were that there appeared to be no change, containers were being scheduled for export without any additional requirements. This was contrary to the message given by the EA at the TRA Briefing in September.
However, one recycler reported receiving a message from Clout that all waste tyre exports had been put on hold. The TRA believe that the requirement for geotagged proof of destination and end use appeared to be problematic, which suggests there might well have been issues at the destination location.
Fighting Dirty, the lobby group which threatened legal action against the EA for failure to do its duty in monitoring waste tyre exports reported: “The big day has arrived! Apparently today, for the first time in years, no shipping containers of waste tyres have left UK ports headed for India – typically, we would expect around 40 containers per day.”
According to Fighting Dirty, five foreign waste brokerage firms represent around 80% of UK waste tyre exports, and it seems the crackdown may have temporarily paused trade.
The situation is still fluid, and we will give further reports in the next few days as the situation develops
