The trade body representing the UKs tyre recycling sector has welcomed raids by the Environment Agency at three facilities suspected of waste tyre crime.
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) said last weeks raids, which saw five arrests made at recycling facilities across the North of England, acted as a stark reminder for operators to abide by tyre recovery guidelines.
The raids were made as part of Operation Broadway, a seven month waste crime investigation being headed by the Agencys National Environmental Crime Team, with the support of Lancashire Police and Greater Manchester Police.
Action was taken to ensure that tyres, which the Agency said were hoarded illegally, did not create a serious fire risk, which could cause damage to public health and the environment of surrounding communities.
Mat Crocker, head of illegals and waste at the Environment Agency, said: The Environment Agency will protect the legitimate recycling industry by being robust in tracking down waste criminals and bringing them to justice. As well as undercutting small businesses, waste crime risks damaging public health and the environment.
TRA
Peter Taylor, TRA secretary general, welcomed the raids and urged tyre recyclers to ensure that they meet their legal obligations by signing up to the tyre industrys voluntary recovery programme the Responsible Recycler Scheme, which provides a full audit process for members.
He said: The Environment Agency has once again demonstrated that it has the intelligence, commitment and powers to tackle waste tyre crime head on and the latest raids in the North West are welcomed by the TRA.
It is a stark reminder that everyone involved in the collection, recycling and reprocessing of waste tyres must abide by a series of strict guidelines.
The message is clear from this latest action by the Environment Agency become a responsible recycler or risk being arrested. The best way to ensure youre fully up-to-date with your legal responsibilities for tyre recycling is to join the Responsible Recycler Scheme.
Sending waste tyres to landfill has been illegal since 2006. The Environment Agency has previously said that tackling the operators of illegal tyre recycling sites as one of its key priorities, claiming that several hundred thousands of tyres are dealt with outside of the law in the UK every year (see letsrecycle.com story).
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