Press release
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme to now include all categories of tyres
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
Expanded scheme means tyres from buses, trucks and larger vehicles will also be managed in an environmentally responsible way.
Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy Ossian Smyth is expanding the tyres Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. From 1 January 2025, the scheme will include all categories of tyres set out in the Tyres Regulations (8th regulation). Currently, the EPR scheme manages tyres of passenger cars, 4x4s, van and motorcycle tyres to find sustainable solutions for managing waste tyres.
The inclusion of all tyre categories will enable the environmentally sound management of bus, truck, agricultural, construction and industrial waste tyres.
Tyres improperly managed and disposed of pose risks to public health and the environment. Effective management of tyre waste helps to:
To reduce these risks, the Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2017 place certain obligations on those who supply tyres to the Irish market. Ireland introduced an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for tyres in 2017. This is operated by Circol ELT (formerly Repak ELT). All tyre producers and retailers are legally obliged to be members of the scheme.
Following on from the success of the tyre scheme for passenger car and motorcycle tyres, Circol ELT will commence industry consultation with key stakeholders to support the upcoming change in legislation for tyres.
Commenting on the extension of the tyres EPR scheme, Minister Smyth said:
"The extension of the tyres EPR scheme will ensure all tyre categories are captured under the scheme. To date, the tyres EPR scheme has operated very successfully and has allowed Ireland to exceed its domestic targets [a minimum recovery rate of 70% of all tyres collected and a minimum recycling rate of 30% of all tyres collected]. The scheme also contributes to diversion of large amounts of waste from landfill.
"EPR Schemes are an effective method to increase circular economy and provide Ireland with the opportunity to develop economic incentives in favour of circular products and business models."
For further details about tyre compliance, please contact Circol ELT on: 01-4618 600 or by email at: info@circolelt.ie
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020, is Ireland’s roadmap for waste planning and management. Climate action must be embedded in all strands of public policy. This plan shifts focus away from waste disposal and looks instead to how we can preserve resources by creating a circular economy.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy sets out a range of aims and targets for the State and the measures by which these will be achieved, including increased regulation and measures across various waste areas such as Circular Economy, Municipal Waste, Consumer Protection and Citizen Engagement, Plastics and Packaging, Construction and Demolition, Textiles, Green Public Procurement and Waste Enforcement.
Ireland uses the EPR model for dealing with a number of waste streams and has developed six Producer Responsibility Initiatives (PRIs), based on the ‘producer pays’ principle. This is where producers have responsibility to finance the collection and environmentally sound waste management of their products at end of life. All of these schemes have targets. The PRIs for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Batteries and Accumulators, End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) and Packaging are based on EU Directives and have EU legislative targets. PRIs for Tyres and Farm Plastics are based on domestic Regulations and have national targets.
The compliance scheme is funded by an Environmental Management Cost (EMC) paid by the producers to Circol ELT, who organise the collection and treatment of end-of-life tyres. An Environmental management Cost (EMC) will be introduced for all tyre categories which will regulate the recycling of all tyre categories to ensure they are all accounted for and managed sustainably through recycling.
The EMC is used to ensure the desired environmental outcomes and covers the following: