Troy questions full PRI plan

Longford / Westmeath Fianna Fail Deputy, Robert Troy is questioning the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government’s (DECLG) stance on the establishment of a full PRI for the tyre industry.

Deputy Troy contacted TyreTrade.ie following an exchange in the Dail with Minister of State, Kevin Humphreys and a subsequent statement from the Tyres Working Group that appeared on this website.

Deputy Troy said: “The tyre industry accepts that it must comply with duty of care obligations and protect the environment. All tyres collected, recycled or repossessed should be disposed of or reused in an environmentally friendly manner using acceptable methods, whether recycled or used as fuel in cement kilns. The proposal by the Department will have serious consequences for the tyre industry, including potential job losses. Contrary to the Department’s ambition for the new scheme, it could be destructive to the environment because it will drive suppliers to stockpile used tyres before illegally dumping them.”

He added: “Under the proposal, the cost of disposing of tyres will increase by in excess of 200 per cent. Under the current self-compliant system, tyre wholesalers and retailers are required to dispose of waste tyres via licensed collectors. The average cost of disposing of a tyre is €1, which is not passed on to customers. Under the new scheme, a full producer responsible initiative will apply and Repak and WEEE Ireland will be appointed as the monopoly collectors and recyclers for the entire industry and an across-the-board green tax will be imposed on tyres to cover the costs of recycling.”

Check out the full article in the Tyre Trade Journal, out on Friday.