Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Recycling of Tyres

29 April 2025 · 5 other contributors · 4,313 words

Opened by Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills

Responding minister: Mary Creagh

Environment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tessa Munt raised concerns about recycling of tyres in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The UK disposes of about 600,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually, with 350,000 tonnes shipped to India.
  • India lacks stringent environmental emissions regulations compared to the UK.
  • The Minister welcomed debate on waste crime and plans to address it through cross-party collaboration.

Key requests to Government

Will the review be limited to an assessment of the enforcement of the existing legal provisions contained in the Basel convention and the waste shipments regulations? Will it consider policy improvements?

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills

The UK disposes of approximately 600,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres each year, with about 350,000 tonnes shipped to India. This raises serious environmental and public health concerns as India does not have the same stringent environmental emissions regulations that we have in the UK.

Other contributors (5)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    He commends the hon. Lady for bringing forward this debate and supports the view that local businesses should be encouraged to send their tyres to recognised recycling groups in the UK, where there are guarantees of complete recycling.

  • Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford

    Acknowledged the Government's focus on the circular economy and waste crime issues in the context of local constituency concerns.

  • Mary Creagh Lab Wakefield

    Clarified that the Department does not carry out prosecutions and that this responsibility lies with the Environment Agency as the regulator. Emphasised the correct separation of power in legal and regulatory duties.

  • Sarah Dyke LD Glastonbury and Somerton

    A company called Tyre Renewals Ltd operates in Castle Cary in her constituency, which prevents tyres from going into landfill and leaking harmful chemicals. She agrees that urgent Government investment is needed to tackle environmental hazards. Inquired about steps being taken by the Minister to address manufacturer responsibility for microplastics in the Somerset levels and moors.

  • Tessa Munt LD Wells

    Asked the Minister to do more to demonstrate how it is prosecuting people who break the law, emphasising the importance of enforcement.

Government Response

Mary Creagh

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Minister welcomed the debate on waste crime and expressed a commitment to tackling it through cross-party collaboration. She noted that the Government plans to clean up Britain, crack down on waste cowboys, and close waste loopholes.

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