The Environmental Risks of Scrap Tyres
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Scrap tyres are not biodegradable and may remain in the environment for centuries. Illegal disposal results in a number of environmental and health hazards:
Landfill Congestion: Tyres take up enormous space in landfills and are able to leach toxic chemicals into the soil and water.
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Risks of Fires: Piled-up tyres are extremely combustible, and fires produce toxic fumes, polluting air and water.
Disease Vectors: Tyres may accumulate stagnant water, serving as breeding sites for mosquitoes and other insects, spreading diseases such as dengue and malaria.
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Air Pollution: Tyre burning releases black smoke with harmful chemicals, degrading air quality and leading to climate change.
The Role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
To solve the tyre waste issue, India enacted the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model in July 2022. In EPR, tyre producers and importers are liable for the whole product lifecycle, from end-of-life disposal. EPR obligations follow this structure:
Weibold Tire Recycling
Tyre and Rubber Recycling
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2022-23: 35% of new tyres produced/imported in 2020-21
Weibold Tire Recycling
2023-24: 70% of new tyres produced/imported in 2021-22
Weibold Tire Recycling
2024-25: 100% of the amount of new tyres produced/imported during 2022-23
After 2024-25, the duty is still 100% of the amount of new tyres produced/imported two years ago.
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Failure to meet EPR targets can lead to penalties up to ₹8.40 per kilogram of waste tyres, and further penalties for continuous offence.
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Challenges in Implementation
In spite of the EPR system, numerous challenges stand in the way of effective tyre waste management:
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Increase in Imports: India’s waste tyre import has grown five times from FY21, to 1.398 million MT in FY24. These imports, which are usually unregulated, overwhelm the country’s waste management facilities and dilute EPR targets.
Tyre and Rubber Recycling
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Tyre and Rubber Recycling
Unregulated Recycling Operations: Most recycling facilities function without regulatory control, and as a result, engage in environmentally destructive processes such as poor-quality pyrolysis, which releases carcinogenic pollutants.
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Lack of Awareness: There is not much public awareness regarding the environmental risks involved in improper tyre disposal and advantages of recycling.
Sustainable Solutions and Innovations
A multi-pronged strategy is needed to deal with the tyre waste issue:
Advanced Recycling Technologies: New recycling technologies, for instance, recycling tyres into rubberized asphalt, sports surfaces, and construction material, can minimize environmental damage and encourage a circular economy.
Tight Regulation and Monitoring: Compliance with EPR obligations through monitoring on a regular basis and imposing fines can discourage non-compliance and encourage sound waste management.
Business News India
Public Awareness Campaigns: Informing the public on the environmental and health hazards related to unscientific tyre disposal can instill responsible behavior and civic participation in recycling efforts.
Import Ban on Waste Tyres: Prohibiting the importation of waste tyres can ease pressure on local waste management systems and promote the growth of local recycling businesses.
The ecological effect of scrap tyres in India is a developing problem that requires immediate and unified intervention. Although the EPR framework offers a basis for effective tyre waste management, its effectiveness is subject to successful implementation, enforcement, and community engagement. Through the adoption of sustainable habits, investment in recycling technology, and heightened awareness, India can minimise the ecological risks of scrap tyres and set the stage for a cleaner, healthier tomorrow. For further information regarding tyre recycling and EPR compliance, see EPRxchange.