Old Tyre Entrepreneurship

A recent Farmer’s Weekly article entitled “One man’s waste…Profit from tyres” encourages farmers to shop around for the best deal when it comes to disposing of tyres. The article pointed to new waste regulations that came into force on 15 May, explaining that Farmers can store waste tyres that are “already on-farm” under an exemption licence from the Environment Agency that must be applied for by 15 May 2007.

The report warned however that farmers wishing to take advantage of this law must not add to dispose of their present stock by any method other than licensed collectors. Warning that this can be a costly business, Farmer’s Weekly advised farmers to shop around using media like the Internet to find the best waste disposal/specialist reprocessor options available.

At the same time some companies like reprocessor, Border Associates, are also promoting their services to similar businesses (e.g. farms) that use particularly large tyres. The is because the 17 July 2006 Landfill Directive deadline excludes tyres over 1.4 metres in diameter. However, because of their size, landfill disposal carries a hefty cost plus £18 per tonne Landfill Tax. Recovery is clearly a much better option both environmentally and financially. “Industry shouldn’t look upon this as a loophole but as a missed opportunity,” Borders associate’ Colin Clements comments.

The patented recycling process that Border Associates and its associated companies employ is designed to recycle all tyres, even the large tyres that are currently exempt from the Landfill Directive. “There is high demand for the exceptional quality of rubber crumb produced by these large tyres,” Colin Clements adds. However, in the case of large construction tyres it’s not just the rubber that can be recycled. The Border Associates’ process can also recover the steel wire from the casing as well.

“Many companies are looking upon this legislation as another operational burden but it needn’t be.” Colin Clements concludes. “With an open mind and a change of focus, there’s considerable commercial potential in end of life tyres. It really is a win-win situation.”