By law, waste tyre producers must keep records of the transfer of their old tyres to registered waste carriers.
Leicester city council officers believe professional environmental criminals are operating in the area and dumping waste tyres illegally. Tyres found dumped in the area are thought to have come from largely commercial sources.
Under the Landfill Directive, whole tyres were banned from landfill since July 2003, but from July this year even shredded tyres will have to be recovered or recycled rather than being sent to landfill.
Prosecution
Leicester city council is warning companies in the area that they face prosecution and thousands of pounds in fines if they are unable to account properly for where their waste tyres are going.
Cllr John Mugglestone, cabinet member responsible for the environment, said: “Tyres are a major fly tipping problem, with 651 incidents reported to us in the first 11 months of last year. The cost of dealing with these incidents is estimated at 30,000.”
The council said fly-tipped tyres are difficult and expensive to clean up, and can also pose a serious fire hazard. It is advising those with information on fly tipping or other illegal waste disposal activities to call the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.
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