A Westminster Hall debate has prompted renewed momentum on waste tyre regulation in the UK, with Waste Minister Mary Creagh MP declaring it is “time for a little less conversation and a little more action” following the BBC’s File on 4 documentary The Tyre Scandal.
The debate focused on the long-delayed removal of the T8 exemption, which permits unregulated tyre collection and storage. This exemption has been widely criticised by the tyre recycling sector for enabling illegal exports and environmental damage.
In her remarks, Creagh acknowledged the “deeply upsetting” findings of the BBC investigation and promised a crackdown on waste operators acting outside the law. She highlighted the urgent need to “close waste loopholes” and end the practice of exporting environmental problems abroad.
Creagh said she had been “very, very demanding” with officials regarding the long-promised withdrawal of the T8 exemption. She confirmed DEFRA will soon announce its updated strategy on waste and recycling, with T8 reform expected to feature prominently.
This follows growing calls from within the industry, including the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), which last month urged the Government to prioritise decisive regulatory action (Tyre News Media coverage).
The TRA responded to the debate with what it described as “cautious optimism”. Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General of the TRA, said the Association was encouraged by the Minister’s direct engagement and renewed emphasis on both fairness and enforcement.
He welcomed the Minister’s specific interest in the “Australian model” of tyre regulation, which restricts the export of whole end-of-life tyres and supports domestic reprocessing infrastructure.
Taylor noted that progress will ultimately be measured by action, particularly the formal removal of the T8 exemption. “We will know the Minister is truly committed when we see the first action resulting from her engagement,” he stated.
The debate raised the possibility of adapting aspects of Australia’s regulatory framework, which mandates higher domestic processing of end-of-life tyres and limits overseas shipments. The TRA has long championed such an approach, noting its potential to reduce environmental harm while stimulating domestic recycling and retreading.
Creagh also indicated that she would like to see TRA contribute directly to future policy development, including the Circular Economy Taskforce and the UK’s Transport Roadmap.
The Minister’s comments reflect a broader shift towards stricter oversight and circular economy goals in tyre waste management. By exploring international best practices and prioritising domestic processing, the UK may be aligning more closely with sustainable models that support both environmental goals and the retreading sector. Any regulatory change, particularly the long-awaited end of the T8 exemption, could have a significant impact across commercial tyre recycling, export limitations, and the development of a robust UK-based ELT infrastructure.
Tagged with: waste tyres, T8 exemption, end-of-life tyres, tyre recycling, tyre exports, TRA, DEFRA, UK tyre regulation, Australia tyre model
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