HiQ praises Responsible Recycler Scheme as “success for self-policing”

Launched by the Tyre Industry Council in 1999 with support from manufacturers through the BTMA and ITMA, the TIF Responsible Recycler Scheme has recently come in for some praise from franchise-based retailer HiQ. The fast-fit network says the scheme, which it has adopted as the recycling policy for old tyres across its 150 centres, is now “a great guide to responsible disposers who share HiQ’s desire to protect the environment”. HiQ commercial manager Farrell Dolan said the industry should be congratulated for its recycling efforts, in spite of consumers’ negative perceptions surrounding fast fitters’ recycling policies that HiQ says continue to persist in spite of the RRS’s eminence.

Dolan suggested: “There is an element of bad press that exists around the fast fit industry and its recycling practices, but the industry performs extremely well. It is very good in terms of self-policing and there are a great number of responsible retailers that take recycling extremely seriously, HiQ is one of those retailers.”

Every HiQ centre in the UK works with an RRS accredited recycling company to dispose of its old tyres legally, to ensure that as much of each tyre as possible is used again once its working life has ended. HiQ’s flagship Nottingham centre is an example of the network’s best practice methods, boasting a forecourt produced entirely of recycled tyres. Mouse mats, pens and notepads are also produced from tyres and other recyclable car parts.

Dolan concluded: “The retailers and the Responsible Recycler Scheme is one of the few cases of successful self-policing in the recycling world, and the industry should be proud of this. Our obligation to our franchisees is to outline their duty of care in terms of recycling and ensure that they understand what their responsibilities are in this important area of the tyre industry”.

“The success of the scheme is in the hands of retailers, and they are delivering. The only comment I would make is that customers should hear more about the industry’s success in the disposal of tyres, because our RRS policy should be viewed as a positive.”

Related news:

• TRA Calls for Retail Support at Forum Day
• TyreSafe Announces Support for Responsible Recycler Scheme
• TRA: Recycle Tyres or Face Jail
• Tyre Recovery Association Explains Recycling Fee with Point of Sale Materials