Millions of UK tyres meant for recycling sent to furnaces in India

Millions of tyres from the UK are sent to India for recycling. However, they are often "cooked" in makeshift furnaces. This process causes serious health issues and environmental damage, according to the BBC.

Most exported waste tyres from the UK end up in India's black market. Industry insiders confirm that this is widely known. Elliot Mason, owner of a major UK tyre recycling plant, states that everyone in the industry knows about it.

Campaigners and the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) claim the government is aware of this issue. They say the UK is one of the worst offenders for exporting waste tyres improperly. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) insists it has strict controls on tyre exports.

When drivers change their tyres, garages charge a small recycling fee. This fee usually ranges from £3 to £6 per tyre. It should ensure proper recycling at facilities like Rubber World in Northampton.

The UK generates about 50 million waste tyres each year, nearly 700,000 tonnes. Around half of these are exported to India for recycling plants. Before leaving the UK, tyres are compressed into large rubber cubes called "bales."

Mr. Mason explains that baled tyres are supposed to be shredded in factories similar to his own. However, around 70% of imported tyres end up in makeshift industrial plants instead.

These plants use a process called pyrolysis at high temperatures without oxygen. This method extracts steel and oil while producing carbon black powder used in various industries.

Pyrolysis plants resemble homemade pressure cookers and emit harmful gases and chemicals. Despite official paperwork stating otherwise, many UK tyres reach these illegal facilities in India.

To investigate further, BBC File on 4 Investigates tracked shipments with hidden trackers placed by an insider. The journey took eight weeks before arriving at an Indian port and then traveling 800 miles inland.

Drone footage revealed thousands of tyres waiting to be processed in huge furnaces for pyrolysis. One company confirmed processing imported tyres but claimed it was not dangerous or illegal.

India has up to 2,000 pyrolysis plants; some are licensed while others operate illegally. In Wada near Mumbai, BBC reporters found polluted waterways and dying vegetation around these sites.

Villagers reported persistent coughs and eye problems due to pollution from nearby plants. One villager stated they wanted companies moved away for better air quality.

Scientists warn that workers exposed to pollutants face serious health risks including respiratory diseases and cancer types linked to pyrolysis exposure.

In January, an explosion at a plant processing European-sourced tyres killed two women and two children near Wada. The owners have not responded to inquiries about this incident.

After the explosion, local officials promised action against unsafe practices; seven pyrolysis plants were shut down afterward. The Indian government has been contacted for comments regarding these issues.

Many UK businesses prefer sending baled tyres abroad because it's more profitable than investing in shredding machinery. Mr. Mason refuses this practice due to his duty of care over waste disposal tracking challenges.

Larger companies like Rubber World have strict environmental permits but smaller operators can apply for exemptions allowing them easier trade routes with fewer regulations.

Some traders admitted exporting more than their permitted limits under T8 exemptions meant for storing up to 40 tonnes weekly without proper oversight or accountability measures enforced effectively by authorities involved here too!

The BBC received tips about several companies involved in improper practices through an insider posing as a broker selling waste tires overseas—four out six dealers contacted confirmed processing large volumes illegally exceeding limits set forth previously established guidelines governing such activities overall!

One dealer admitted exporting ten shipping containers worth approximately 250 tonnes last week alone—over five times allowed limit! Another initially showed paperwork indicating compliance but later confessed knowledge regarding actual destination being illegal pyrolysis operations instead despite laws prohibiting such actions explicitly outlined already!

"There are plenty doing it...90% [of English people] engaged," he said while expressing inability control outcomes once arrived destination country where regulations differ significantly compared home nation standards applied here too!

Defra stated they’re considering reforms on waste exemptions aimed improving current situation moving forward towards circular economy goals prioritizing resource sustainability alongside protecting natural environment overall too!

Australia banned baled tyre exports after audits revealed discrepancies between intended destinations versus actual outcomes observed during inspections conducted previously confirming concerns raised earlier still valid today!

Georgia Elliott-Smith from Fighting Dirty calls UK's export practices “massive unrecognized problem” needing urgent attention urging redefinition hazardous waste classification necessary addressing ongoing challenges faced within sector effectively moving forward together collaboratively!