BBC exposes pyrolysis scandal of exported used tyres

Recyclers in the UK have praised the BBC for exposing the unlicensed export of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) to India.

The BBC report said that millions of tyres were being treated at illegal pyrolysis plants in India, despite export paperwork indicating they were being processed properly. It highlighted hazardous and potentially lethal conditions around these plants for both workers and nearby communities.

Baled exports

Most UK operators have tightly regulated environmental permits and are inspected regularly. Tyres should be shredded ahead of export. Smaller operators, however, can apply for a T8 exemption to trade and lawfully export more easily, illegally baled up whole for pyrolysis. The BBC found that many traders exceeded their permitted limits and exported tyres in bales.

Official British records show the country has to recycle about 50 million used tyres every year. This amounts to 700 000 tonnes, half of which are exported to India. Campaigners say the system must be reformed. In Australia in 2021, the government banned the export of baled tyres after finding that almost none ended up where the paperwork said it was going.

Damage exposed

Peter Taylor, secretary general of the UK’s Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), says his organisation had been campaigning for years and congratulated the BBC on its reporting.

‘The reality of the environmental damage caused by UK whole-tyre exports has been publicly exposed. Ministers responsible for waste and environmental policy should stop twiddling their fingers. It is now time to end T8 exemptions and ban the export non-shred end-of-life tyres.’

Meanwhile, Grant Evans, director of tyre recycler Fraser Evans & Son, argues the challenges can be overcome immediately. ‘As long as the Government continues to fiddle tyres will burn. Ending the T8 exemption and the export of baled ELTs will stop this.’

The UK’s environment department told the BBC strict controls were in place for exporting waste tyres with penalties for illegal activity including jail sentences and unlimited fines.