More Action Needed on Disposal of Used Tyres, Says Committee

The Committee for the Environment today called for further action to ensure the safe and effective disposal of used tyres in its final report on its Inquiry into Used Tyre Disposal.

This is following interim recommendations that the Committee published last year on the disposal of used tyres.

Chairperson of the Committee, Anna Lo MLA, said: "I am pleased that the Committee has finalised the recommendations arising from its Used Tyre Inquiry. For some time now, the Committee has been concerned about illegally dumped tyres and the associated environmental impacts, including toxic smoke from fires in tyre stores and fly-tipping. In last year's interim report, we made 20 important draft recommendations to address those issues. While we welcome the fact that the Department has implemented 8 of those recommendations, we feel that there has been insufficient action in other areas.

"In particular, the Committee remains concerned about the lack of traceability of tyres coming into Northern Ireland and their eventual disposal. In addition, we have concerns about the administration of the voluntary used tyre levy. We would like to see all sectors in the used tyre chain required to register with a compliance scheme, as well as more powers for the Department to enable it to regulate the collection and use of the levy."

Ms Lo concluded: "The Committee wants to ensure that all tyres are disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible manner and that there is proper oversight of the disposal process. We believe that these 12 final recommendations will build on the Committee's earlier recommendations and will help to ensure the proper management of used tyres in future."

Committee Chairperson, Anna Lo, outline the Committee’s findings in the interview below:

ENDS