UK publishes protocol on materials derived from tyres

ERJ staff report (DS)

London -- The UK has published a protocol for operators who convert post-consumer tyres into more useful products. The scheme goes live in early 2010 and should give purchasers of rubber granulate more confidence in the processing capabilities of their suppliers. In particular, the protocol clarifies when a material is a waste and hence subject to waste management rules; and when it is regarded as a useful material in the eyes of the law.

The new protocol provides a computerised list of companies which have signed up to the scheme. Those companies are subject to vetting and have to show that they meet al relevant legislation.

Martin Brocklehurst, joint Quality Protocol Project Executive and the Environment Agency's Head of Environment Protection External Programmes, said: “The Project continues to simplify processes and procedures across the recycling and reprocessing supply chain by removing regulation and unnecessary red tape. The regulation governing tyre-derived rubber is being changed based on evidence from a robust risk assessment. When the protocol for tyre-derived rubber is introduced it will prove to be good for business and for the environment.”

In the UK this scheme is operated by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)

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Press release from WRAP

Scheme headquarters from TRL (website not yet live)

Home page of protocol from UK Environment Agency

Full text of protocol (PDF)