SOUTH WEST TYRE & RUBBER RECYCLERS working with Consort Consultants Ltd

'Tyre fraud' arrests signal growing concern on waste

2011-01-21T06:51:00.000-08:00

'Tyre fraud' arrests signal growing concern on waste

By Richard BlackEnvironment correspondent, BBC News

Used tyres are often "baled up" for packing into containers - or for illegal disposal

Officers from the Environment Agency and City of London police have arrested three men on suspicion of "tyre fraud".

Used tyres are supposed to be recycled if they cannot be re-used.

But there have been many reports of operations that appear either to be exporting unusable tyres overseas, or dumping them within the country.

These arrests conclude an eight-month investigation into a crime that the agency regards as on a par with illegal disposal of electronic or e-waste.

"The UK produces almost 50 million used tyres every year, and it is now illegal to send them to landfill - they should be recycled here in the UK," said Andy Higham, the agency's National Crime Team manager.

"But our intelligence suggests that illegal operators are charging tyre fitters to recycle old tyres here in the UK and then illegally exporting them overseas to avoid the recycling costs.

"As well as forcing other countries to deal with our waste, this practice also undermines legitimate tyre recycling businesses here in the UK."

The main destinations for illegal exports are thought to include Hong Kong and Vietnam.

What makes them illegal is that both have exercised their right under international waste treaties to block the importation of tyres that are not fit for re-use.

Inside plan

In addition to the exports, some of the UK's dodgy operators are dumping tyres at sites inside the country.

Several months ago, John Archbold leased one of his warehouses in Norfolk to a company that stocked the property with waste tyres.

"It then became apparent that they were not there any more," he told BBC News.

"And when we went down we found they had gone and had filled the place up with tyres."

The bill for disposing of the stock of at least 50,000 tyres may fall at Mr Archbold's door.

"I'm not overly keen on putting my hand up and saying 'we got done over', but if it prevents someone else being caught in the same way, then at least some good may come of it," he said.

The operation on Thursday detained a 60-year-old from Chelmsford, Essex, a 32-year-old from Spalding, Lincolnshire, and a 61-year-old from Swanscombe, Kent.

DCI Dave Clark, the senior investigating office for City of London Police, said: "This case is a prime example of how police and government organisations such as the Environment Agency are co-ordinating their efforts to stop people committing fraud."

Tyres do not degrade; and there have been regular incidents of major fires at tyre dumps, which can take many days to put out.

Of the UK's annual used tyre output, about a third are re-used with or without reconditioning; a further third are recycled into products as diverse as underlay and playground surfaces; about 10% form the lining for landfill sites, and the remainder are burned under strictly controlled conditions.

But as with e-waste, the costs associated with these streams are high enough to stimulate the evolution of a black market.

The Environment Agency is advising tyre fitters to be wary of contractors who will take tyres away for less than 50p per time.

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2010-05-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

Mrs Robin decided to lay her eggs between 2 strengthening panels in the body of our number 2 shredder.

It's very noisy but very warm. We're keeping an eye on them and they're doing well despite the very noisy location.

Christmas opening times

2009-12-14T13:47:00.000-08:00

We are closed from the 23rd December until the 4th January.

Thank you to our customers for their business throughout the year and a Merry Christmas to everyone.

Recycling

2009-10-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

SW Tyre & Rubber Recyclers, recycle 100% of each tyre received. When your waste tyres
are received by us, they are destroyed. Your duty of care ends here.
All reclaimed materials are used in new products.
Verification of licenses on the EA public register.
Don't take the risk,get your tyres disposed of correctly.

SW Tyre & Rubber Recyclers

2008-09-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

We are Fully Licensed, and also reliable, efficient, friendly, courteous, industrious and hard working. If you have tyres you need to dispose of, call us, we really do 'recycle rubber the right way'.

Recycling Services

2008-09-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

Company profile.

2008-02-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

Recycling Rubber the Right Way.

SW Tyre & Rubber Recyclers working with Consort Consultants Ltd has been
processing waste rubber into reusable products in the South West
since 1999. The plant construction was planned and designed by Mark Bailey of Consort Consultants Ltd.
Since production began, thousands of tonnes of waste have been diverted away from local landfill sites each year. The company, based at St Erth near Hayle in Cornwall, was formed with the sole intention of processing all types of rubber waste from Cornwall and Devon and producing marketable products.
SW Tyre & Rubber Recyclers were the first rubber recyclers in the
South West. We started the business because we wanted to do something
to benefit the environment. Recycling rubber saves on the production
of new rubber which is a great long-term benefit to the environment.
'We take delivery of all types and sizes of waste rubber and tyres
and can also offer a collection service, all at competitive rates.
S W Tyres & Rubber Recyclers have on site more than 1,000 horsepower
of processing machinery and can make finished material at the rate of
over six tonnes per hour. The company has the flexibility to process a range of materials. The tyre processing plant can process car, truck and tractor tyres and
also super singles (large trucks tyres), at approximately four tonnes
per hour. They have the capacity, the plant and the know-how.
'The chipped rubber produced can be used for children's play areas
and equestrian arenas and gallops. A percentage is also used for the
production of mouldings.
'The finished material is sold all over the UK and has a growing
market in France.'
The tyre processing plant separates the rubber from the steel via a
complex method involving magnets and metal detection systems which
the company has perfected over the years.
'It's not an easy process to master, there's a huge
learning curve and a smooth operation requires constant maintenance.'
The company which is run by Mark Bailey and business partner Kathryn Robbins of Consort Consultants Ltd employs eight to ten people, and can be contacted at
Unit 3, Station Approach, St Erth, near Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 6JW.
Tel 01736 757522. Fax 01736 757626. Mobile 07976 064694
Email: info@tyrerecyclers.com

SOUTH WEST TYRE & RUBBER RECYCLERS working with Consort Consultants Ltd

'Tyre fraud' arrests signal growing concern on waste

'Tyre fraud' arrests signal growing concern on waste

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SEE OUR TYRE PLANT CHICKS

Christmas opening times

Recycling

SW Tyre & Rubber Recyclers

Recycling Services

Company profile.