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A recent study titled ‘Circulating Tyres in the Economy’ conducted by a New Delhi based NGO called Chintan has found out that approximately 60% of the tyres have their life ended up getting dumped in landfill sites. This contributes significantly to both air and land pollution. The study further goes on to add that these end-of-life tyres can be used to build new roads to decrease the burden on landfill sites and ensuring their proper utilization.
As per the data provided by the study, around 127.34 million tyres were produced during 2016-2017 in India, a substantial increase of approximately 12% from the same period last year. Out of this, approximately 60 % of the tyres go to landfill sites, creating a serious environmental issue. The study has also focused on the fact that how the tyres can have a ‘bubble’ effect. This effect results in methane gas being trapped at the landfill sites and contaminating groundwater.
Experts have said that although the policies have been there to utilize the used/old/retired tyres for constructing new roads, but due to lack of focus and will in this regard its implementation is almost nil.
Further findings have shown that another option that is widely used in our country is of burning the used tyres. This is resulting in releasing toxic pollutants into the air. The report added, this process of burning releases emission of carcinogenic pollutants such as dioxin, oxides of nitrogen, furans and aromatic hydrocarbon.
Chintan, which has conducted the study has asked roadways and transport highways ministry to enforce the year 2000 circular that was issued regarding the use of Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen. They have also asked for reusing the tyres by utilizing techniques such as regrooving and retreading or recycling them through the formal sector. Bringing end-of-life tyres again to the system in the form of recycling or through using them in roads will help in not harming the surrounding environment and also improving the economy.
Director of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) India, Rajiv Budhraja told that at present due to lack of any system of collection India imports approximately 3 lakh tonnes of tyres every year. He also expressed optimism that with the enactment of the new Waste Tyres Management Rules under which the tyre dealers will have to maintain inventories of sales improvement is expected in this area.
