Voicing concern over the surge in imports of waste/scrap tyres into the country, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has urged the government to take immediate steps to ban such shipments.
The tyre industry pointed out that such imports have increased by over five times since FY21, posing significant environmental and safety risks. Quoting the data released by the Commerce Ministry, it said the figure of import of waste/ scrap tyres rose to 13.98 lakh tonnes in FY24 from 2.64 lakh tonnes in FY21.
The Chairman, ATMA in the pre-budget submission said the indiscriminate import of waste/scrap tyres undermines the objectives of the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Regulation on Waste Tyres, which came into effect in July 2022. EPR regulations were designed to ensure the responsible management of End of Life Tyres (ELT). However, the unchecked import of waste/scrap tyres not only contradicts these efforts but also burdens India’s waste management infrastructure.
India is one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturing nations, producing over 200 million tyres annually. This volume generates enough domestic ELT capacity for recycling and disposal. Therefore, the import of waste/scrap tyres is both unnecessary and counterproductive.
The environmental and safety implications of unregulated tyre waste are grave. Improperly disposed waste tyres can lead to severe pollution, fire hazards, and health risks. By banning imports of scrap tyres, India can bolster its domestic recycling industry and further its commitment to sustainable development, he said.
