Government response to tyre recovery consultation expected shortly

Part of the European Landfill Directive, adopted in this country in 1999, bans the disposal of whole tyres via landfill from July 2003 and shredded tyres by July 2006.

The industry has been expecting the government to reveal its intentions for the recovery of tyres after it carried out a consultation on a possible producer responsibility model from April to July 2002.

The consultation aimed to gather information on the best way to pay for the UK's tyre obligation, for the government to produce an effective framework for the re-use, recycling and recovery of used tyres. It invited views on ways of strengthening the present voluntary approach to the recovery of used tyres, an approach that is the preferred option of both the tyre industry and the government, producing recovery rates of around 70%.

Although there had been signals that the government's response would be made by the end of 2002, officials within Whitehall now say it will be made public by the end of this month. It is not thought that the government will announce any particular decision with regard to a set model for tyre recovery, but it is likely to call for more development of ideas raised by the consultation.

Responses
A statement from the government revealed that 48 parties responded to its consultation, including local authorities, trade associations, tyre recyclers and producer responsibility schemes.

The overwhelming view was that any scheme would have to be statutory in nature, and although the tyre industry and the motor industry trade associations submitted variations to the model set out in the consultation paper, the majority of respondents supported the “single point” producer responsibility approach.

Concerns raised included an unduly complicated system, the application of minimum obligation thresholds and the risk of fly-tipping.

Suggestions were also made that the government should widen the membership of the Used Tyres Working Group, or change its structure to an executive-based system, in order to improve the progression of producer responsibility matters.

Click here for an Excel spreadsheet charting responses to the government's consultation paper on tyre recovery producer responsibility.