Tyre recycling: what happens to old tyres and what the law requires
Tyre recycling turns worn out tyres into rubber crumb, fuel and new products. Tyres cannot go to landfill in the UK: whole tyres have been banned since 2003 and shredded tyres since 2006. A business that produces waste tyres must hand them to a registered waste carrier.
Tyre recycling: key facts
| Landfill | Whole tyres banned since 2003, shredded tyres since 2006 |
|---|---|
| What a tyre contains | Rubber, steel wire and textile fibre |
| Main uses | Retreading, rubber crumb and fuel for cement kilns |
| Who pays | The business that produces the waste tyres. Collection is charged for each tyre |
| Paperwork | A waste transfer note for every load, kept for two years |
How does tyre recycling work?
- Collection. A registered carrier collects tyres from garages, fleets and tyre fitters.
- Sorting. Tyres with enough tread are sold as part worn, and sound casings from lorries are retreaded.
- Shredding. The rest are cut into pieces.
- Separating. Magnets remove the steel wire and air removes the fibre.
- Granulating. The rubber is ground into crumb of different sizes.
What are old tyres made into?
| Route | What it becomes |
|---|---|
| Retreading | A new tread on a used casing, mostly for lorries and buses |
| Rubber crumb | Playground and sports surfaces, mats and road surfacing |
| Fuel | Burned in cement kilns in place of coal |
| Pyrolysis | Heated without oxygen to make oil, gas and carbon black |
| Steel wire | Sold as scrap steel |
The rules for businesses
Waste tyres are business waste, so the usual duty of care applies. Store them safely, because tyre fires are hard to put out. Use a registered waste carrier, keep the waste transfer notes for two years and ask where the tyres go. The Tyre Recovery Association runs a scheme that audits collectors.
Anyone offering to take tyres for much less than the going rate may be dumping them. If your tyres are found dumped, you can be held responsible.
Recycling other rubber
Conveyor belts, hoses, seals and mats are harder to recycle than tyres because the rubber is mixed with other materials. Specialist recyclers take clean, single types in volume. If you have a regular supply, list it on our marketplace, and check the wanted listings for buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Can tyres be recycled?
Yes. Every part of a tyre can be reused or recycled: the rubber as crumb or fuel, and the steel wire as scrap metal.
Can tyres go to landfill?
No. Whole tyres have been banned from UK landfill since 2003 and shredded tyres since 2006.
How much does it cost to recycle tyres?
Collectors charge for each tyre, and the price depends on the size and the number collected. Car tyres cost least and tractor tyres most.
What are recycled tyres used for?
Sports and playground surfaces, mats, road surfacing, fuel for cement kilns, and new treads for lorry and bus tyres.
Who is responsible for waste tyres?
The business that produces them, until they reach an authorised site. Use a registered waste carrier and keep the waste transfer note.
Is tyre recycling a legal requirement?
In effect, yes. Tyres are banned from landfill, so a business must send waste tyres for reuse, recycling or energy recovery through a registered waste carrier.