Around 2 million MT of tyres are discarded as scrap each year due to wear and tear. Additionally, India imports 0.8 million MT of scrap tyres annually from countries like the UK, Australia, and the UAE, where tyre recycling is prohibited, bringing the total tyre waste managed in India to 2.8 million MT annually. Further, India was discarding 2,75,000 tyres every day in 2021, as per the MoHUA report. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), tyre producers currently fund less than 1% of tyre recycling efforts. While tyres can be recycled and repurposed for various uses—such as in road construction, rubberized asphalt, and energy recovery—the lack of proper recycling infrastructure and awareness limits their effective management. Addressing tyre waste is crucial for reducing landfill burden and preventing environmental pollution, while also tapping into the economic potential of recycling.
Tyre waste poses significant health risks when not properly managed. It can post the following health hazards
Tyre waste should be managed to reduce environmental pollution, as discarded tyres take up significant space in landfills and release harmful chemicals when burnt. Recycled tyres can be repurposed for products like playground surfaces, asphalt, and fuel, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability. It also helps in meeting solid waste management rules.
Effective management of tyre waste is essential for several reasons
In India, businesses must comply with several regulations regarding tyre waste management, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties. These regulations are crucial for promoting sustainable practices and reducing environmental impact.
Producers are responsible for the collection and recycling of tyres, with penalties for non-compliance, including fines and imprisonment.
Companies must disclose their tyre waste management practices in their sustainability reports, as part of SEBI’s regulations.
Businesses must adhere to guidelines for the proper management and recycling of non-biodegradable waste, including tyres.
End to end EPR compliance including registration, EPR execution, returns filing for Tyre manufactures.
Reverse logistics that focuses on aggregating tyre waste and building partner relationships. (Partners include aggregators, transporter and authorised recycling facilities) to enable seamless operations Pan-India.
EPR requires tyre manufacturers to take responsibility for the collection and recycling of their products after they are used. Tyre manufacturers must ensure that their products are recycled either through retreading, upcycling, or proper management at the end of their life cycle. Companies must meet CPCB’s recycling targets and ensure that tyres do not end up in landfills. Producers failing to register on the CPCB portal or submit EPR certificates as per the Hazardous Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, will face environmental compensation. Non-compliance, false information, or exceeding recycling limits by more than 5% can result in up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakhs, or both.
To comply, your business needs to: Ensure proper tyre collection and segregation from other waste.
Tyre recycling helps reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, decreases the need for virgin materials (e.g., rubber, steel), and cuts down on harmful emissions. Recycling also conserves natural resources, such as oil and rubber, and generates valuable by-products like fuel oil, carbon black, and steel.
Yes, the Indian government offers incentives for businesses that invest in sustainable waste management and recycling technologies. These include tax breaks, subsidies, and grants for setting up recycling plants or adopting innovative solutions like pyrolysis technology. Businesses involved in tyre manufacturing can also benefit from EPR compliance incentives.
If your business is dealing with large quantities of end-of-life tyres, you should:
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