The recent BBC investigation into the shipment of waste tyres from the UK to India has prompted the Environment Agency (EA) to initiate a thorough review of the situation. Millions of tyres, destined for recycling, were instead being processed in makeshift furnaces, leading to serious health issues and environmental degradation. This discovery has sparked outrage from the pressure group Fighting Dirty, which has criticized the EA for a perceived lack of action on the matter.
With the UK producing approximately 50 million waste tyres annually, nearly 700,000 tonnes, around half of these are exported to India under the guise of recycling. However, investigations by BBC File on 4 revealed that a significant portion of these tyres are being sent to rudimentary industrial facilities in India where they are subjected to harmful processing methods to extract valuable materials like steel, oil, and carbon black. The conditions at these plants are hazardous, posing risks to public health and the environment.
Tragically, a fatal explosion at a tyre-processing plant in Maharashtra claimed the lives of two women and two children earlier this year, drawing attention to the dangers of such operations. There were reports of pollution, soot, and contaminated waterways surrounding the plant, with villagers suffering from respiratory issues and eye ailments. The impact of these activities on local communities and the environment has raised concerns globally.
In response to the revelations, the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has expressed a keen interest in investigating the allegations and potential criminal activities related to the export of waste tyres. The EA has promised to analyze the findings from the investigations and is actively engaging with environmental authorities in India to address the issue. Fighting Dirty, a vocal advocate against such practices, views these developments as a significant breakthrough in holding the government and agencies accountable for overlooking illegal and unethical actions pertaining to waste tyre exports
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