South African Waste Tyre Legislation Delay

South Africa produces 90,000 tonnes of waste tyres per year and currently only recycles 10 per cent. The country has one large tyre recycling company and some 10 smaller operations, with another 16 waiting to develop business when waste tyre legislation is developed. However, a white paper on waste expected in July has not yet been issued and the SA Tyre Recycling Process Company (a not-for-profit organisation hoping to establish itself as the governing body for the industry) reports that some landfill sites are already refusing to take tyres and others are charging up to 15 Rand (1,40 €) per tyre.

The company suggests a collection fee, payable by the consumer, of 6 Rand (0,60 €), which will fund the recycling process collection and management. The subsidy is needed, say the company, because recycling operations need to receive the tyres at virtually no cost to be profitable..