In a statement released by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency, it has been stated that although Ireland met its 2014 obligations for the End of Vehicle Life Directive targets, it now looks likely to miss the new targets in place since 2015. Approximately 87,000 end-of-life vehicles were treated in 2014 and 82 per cent of their material was reused or recycled. Approximately 28,000 tonnes of waste tyres were managed in 2014; of these 44 per cent were recycled and 36 per cent used as a fuel. That percentage used as fuel almost entirely goes to export, either shredded or baled.
IEPA Looks Set to Work on Trying to Maintain Ambitious Targets
New regulations, published in November 2016, have enabled the appointment of an approved body, End-of-Life Vehicle Environmental Services (ELVES), to represent vehicle producers and be responsible for a national collection system for end-of-life vehicles and achievement of the targets with effect from 1st January 2017.
Approximately 28,000 tonnes of waste tyres were managed in 2014 with 45 per cent of them exported for treatment. In total, 80 per cent of waste tyres managed were recycled or used as fuel in 2014. While the tonnage of waste tyres managed in authorised facilities increased by 16 per cent between 2012 and 2014, there is still significant uncertainty about the level of unauthorised disposal. The role of a new waste tyre Producer Responsibility Initiative will include collecting information on tyres and waste tyres in the distribution, collection and waste treatment network to meet this data need.
