The Tyre Protocol is an updated version of the Agency's Substitute Fuels Protocol and the Agency has asked the cement industry for its views. The consultation period runs until 1 August and the cement companies must communicate with the public during all aspects of tyre trials.
The guidelines on burning tyres in cement kilns aims to make the process of determining applications for using tyres as a fuel more effective.
The Environment Agency has a major problem with tyres being dumped illegally and the landfill directive will worsen the situation as the disposal of whole tyres to landfill will be banned by 2003 and shredded tyres by 2006. The Agency is looking at energy recovery in cement kilns as a way of recovery. It says that many cement companies are using tyres as fuels in their kilns and that this results in an overall lowering of emissions when compared with burning fossil fuels.
Dr Paul Leinster, director of environmental protection, said: “It is estimated that considerable time will be saved, both by the Agency and cement companies, through adopting this protocol whilst maintaining high levels of health protection and environmental controls. When burning tyres, companies can reduce their energy costs by over 30 per cent per tonne of product.”
He added: “It is vital that companies take full responsibility for listening to the public and addressing their concerns. The public must have complete confidence in a company's ability to protect their health and the local environment. This protocol offers a method of doing this.”
The protocol will be available on the Agency's website Environment Agency.
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