However, while most people are pleased to hear that the U.K.’s free-market approach to tyre recovery and recycling continues to prosper, valid questions about the increased prevalence of secondary fly-tipping and rising numbers of part worn tyres on the market were also raised.
According to the ETRMA, 3.2 million tonnes of used tyres were generated in Europe during 2006, including 486,000 tonnes in the U.K. and 585,000 tonnes in Germany – the continents two leading tyre markets. The figures, reported by the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) cover end of life tyre (ELT) destinations during 2006.
Across Europe 87% of used tyres (up three points) are now recovered. The key European disposal route is energy recovery, a method favoured by the many markets that operate producer responsibility programmes.
And while the U.K.’s 93% recovery rate for tyres may not be as high as these other nations, the split is much more varied and the U.K. surpasses all other European countries – including France and Germany – in terms of recycling. In 2006 254,000 tonnes of tyres ended up in material recovery, while a further 57,000 tones were retreaded. Therefore, the U.K. recycling an impressive 311,000 tonnes of used tyres in 2006.This compares with just 198,000 tonnes in Germany and 239,000 in France. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden and Norway, all claimed 100 per cent recovery rates.
However, shortly after the figures were published, the NTDA raised concerns that not enough is being done to end the problems caused to retailer by secondary fly-tipping. Published the results of a survey of its own, the NTDA called on the powers that be to take more action against environmental criminals.
Nearly a third of members responding to the recent NTDA fly tipping survey reported that tyres had been dumped on their premises in the past six months. Of those nearly half involved 20 tyres or more. The total cost of disposal is thought to be around £2 million. In February, Kwik-Fit’s David White spoke of how the retailer spent £250,000 a year secondary tipping disposal costs itself.
According to the association, the survey was carried out in response to fears that the authorities tended to overlook this form of fly-tipping as the responsibility for disposal lay with the retailer where the tyres had been dumped. Commenting on the response of the authorities NTDA Director Richard Edy said: “It’s a constant battle to ensure that this form of fly tipping, which we estimate is costing our membership several million pounds a year, is brought to the attention of the local Authorities and the Environment Agency.
“At the last meeting of the Used Tyre Working group where I represent tyre retailers, the Environment Agency gave little comfort when told that 46 % of members revealed in the survey that they didn’t even bother to report this form of fly-tipping because they were not interested in responding.”
Meanwhile Continental Tyres has published the results of still more research, this time to check the safety of the thousands of used tyres that are up for sale on eBay for as little as £5. Twenty used car tyres were purchased and tested to see how they performed in terms of legislation and safety. The research was conducted by technical specialists, Entyrety.
One in five were over the recommended age limit for tyres, meaning that they could fail or ‘blow out’ on the road, a further 20% contravened the ‘Sales of Goods Act’ by not having a legally-required ‘E’ marking and none of the tyres fully conformed with regulations which say that they should be marked as part worn.
Even more shocking was that two of the tyres were well below the minimum tread depth and were even bald in places. One tyre was found to have an illegal and dangerous repair and another had been stuck back together with superglue. Another point for concern is that 20 per cent of the tyres had no ‘E’ marking on the side. None of the tyres tested were marked ‘part worn’ which is a legislative requirement for used tyres.
According to Continental Tyres, the problem of second-hand tyre sales has been accelerated by the new EC Landfill Directive, which has banned the dumping of used tyres on landfill. As a result, fly-tipping has become a nationwide problem with around 13 million tyres illegally dumped in the U.K. every year, providing rich pickings for opportunistic eBayers.
Roger Sanders says: “Illegal fly-tipping is a huge problem; it is not only a drain on finances for local authorities and landowners but supports criminal activity. Unfortunately, the worrying new trend in part-worn tyre trading on eBay is simply encouraging it as tyres can then be re-sold, making unscrupulous sellers rich through quick cash sales. We have written to eBay to urge them to review the way tyres are listed and sold on the site.”
To raise awareness of this issue Continental Tyres has joined forces with road safety body, RoadSafe, who supports Continental’s campaign to get eBay to review sales of second hand tyres on its site. RoadSafe’s spokesperson, Michael Parish, says: “Tyres have a direct impact on handling, braking and acceleration, and problematic tyres can seriously affect driving safety, so it is vital that drivers know what they’re buying. Many wrongly believe that buying second-hand tyres is a cheap fix, but what may seem like a bargain at the time could cost a lot more in the long run.
“The results of these tests clearly demonstrate the kind of tyres that you can get from the net today, and it is the general motorist who is at risk. While most people can spot poor tread depth and cracking on tyres, there is a lot of damage that is just not visible to the naked eye, which is why we believe the practice of selling second-hand tyres on the Internet – particularly on eBay – should be urgently reviewed.”
