Annual Export of 50 Million Used Tyres from the UK to India, According to a Research
In a significant turn of events, the UK government is facing a legal challenge due to the illegal export of waste tyres that are being burned in India, causing environmental damage and poisoning local communities. The Environment Agency has admitted that it lacks complete assurance that these tyres are properly recovered or treated in an environmentally sound manner, which breaches UK waste shipment laws.
The illegal burning of waste tyres in India has severe implications for human health and the environment. This practice releases toxic pollutants, including harmful chemicals, that contaminate air quality and pose serious health risks such as respiratory problems and other diseases for nearby populations. Environmentally, it causes air pollution and damages ecosystems. The ongoing illegal pyrolysis operations divert tyres from legal recovery and exacerbate pollution and environmental degradation in India.
The surge in unregulated tyre imports is causing significant environmental and safety risks, according to the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA). Some shipments of tyres being traded on groups show up to 500 tonnes. In January 2025, a tyre pyrolysis plant explosion in Wada village, Maharashtra, resulted in the death of two children and two women.
The legal challenge is being led by the campaign group Fighting Dirty, represented by law firm Leigh Day. Pressure groups like Fighting Dirty are pushing the UK government to enforce stricter regulations to stop the export of tyres destined for toxic burning and have threatened legal action to hold the government accountable for its role in this environmental harm.
UK exporters are exploiting a loophole in UK environmental regulations, and many imported tyres are being sold on Facebook groups set up for buying and selling pyrolysis oil. The import of waste or scrap tyres increased from 2.64 lakh MT in FY21 to 13.98 lakh MT in FY24, according to Ministry of Commerce data.
Tyre pyrolysis is the process of converting used tyres into products like steel wire, carbon black, and bio-oil by treating them in high temperatures. However, when carried out illegally and without proper regulations, it poses grave consequences for human health and the environment.
In summary, the legal challenge is about enforcing UK laws to stop the export of waste tyres being illegally burned in India, which in turn impacts local health and environments through toxic pollution and ecosystem damage. The UK government's response to this challenge will have far-reaching implications for both countries' environmental policies and the safety of their citizens.
The UK's environmental policies are under scrutiny due to the export of waste tyres, as the illegal burning of these tyres in India leads to severe environmental damage and poses health risks. The surge in such imports offers a concerning intersection between the tyre industry and finance, as unregulated tyre trading operations exacerbate pollution and environmental degradation, as well as raise questions about ethical and legal responsibility in environmental science.
