A BBC investigation reveals that millions of waste tires from the UK are being illegally exported to India, where they are burned in unregulated pyrolysis plants, causing severe health and environmental issues.
A recent investigation by the BBC has uncovered a troubling reality regarding the disposal of waste tires in the UK. Instead of being recycled as intended, millions of tires are being shipped to India, where they are incinerated in makeshift furnaces, leading to significant health risks and environmental damage.
Most car owners are familiar with the process of changing tires, which typically includes a small fee for safe disposal and recycling. However, the BBC's investigation reveals that this process is not as straightforward as it seems. While tires are supposed to be shredded and repurposed for uses such as surfacing horse arenas and children's playgrounds, approximately half of the waste tires in the UK are instead compacted into bales. This method is more profitable, leading to their export abroad.
To uncover the fate of these tires, the BBC collaborated with Source Material, an organization focused on environmental issues. They fitted trackers to end-of-life tires to trace their journey. The investigation revealed that many of these tires were sent on a 1,000 km journey to Central India, where they ended up in pyrolysis plants.
Pyrolysis is a method that involves heating tires to high temperatures to extract oil and steel. However, many of these plants in India are unlicensed and unmonitored, and it is illegal to import tires for pyrolysis in the country. The process is not only hazardous but also produces a dangerous mix of gases and chemicals, contributing to severe pollution.
The investigation highlighted alarming conditions at these pyrolysis plants. Reports of oil spills and leaks, along with visible carbon dust, indicate a blatant disregard for health and safety regulations. Local residents have reported health issues such as sore throats and coughing, particularly concerning as children play in the polluted environment.
In January, a tragic explosion at a makeshift pyrolysis plant near Mumbai resulted in the deaths of two children and two adults. Following this incident, local authorities shut down seven neighboring plants, yet many facilities continue to operate, perpetuating the cycle of pollution.
The investigation also revealed that a significant portion of the waste tires exported from the UK ends up in India's black market. A visit to a tire disposal company in Rochdale confirmed that these bales of end-of-life tires are indeed sent to India, where they are processed in pyrolysis plants to produce furnace oil and carbon. The company’s owner, Zahir, acknowledged that he cannot control what happens to the tires once they arrive in India, emphasizing that this practice is widespread and known within the industry.
While the UK government claims to have stringent regulations for exporting waste tires, including severe penalties for violations, environmental groups argue that these measures are insufficient. They call for stricter oversight of both the dealers and the waste itself to prevent further environmental degradation.
The findings of this investigation shed light on a significant environmental issue that affects both the UK and India. The illegal export of waste tires not only undermines recycling efforts but also poses serious health risks to communities in India. As the investigation concludes, it is clear that more stringent regulations and accountability are needed to address this pressing problem and protect both the environment and public health.
