VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Tyres: Waste Disposal

Asked by Tom RutlandLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 3 September 2025UIN 72954

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that car tyres which are exported to be recycled (a) arrive at the intended destination, (b) are not used in illegal pyrolysis and (c) are processed in manner which does not harm the environment.

Answered by Mary Creagh

The Environment Agency (EA) has recently completed a review into its approach for regulating the export of waste tyres. As a result of this, the EA will launch enhanced verification checks for all waste tyres exported to India to ensure they are handled in an environmentally sound manner.

The export of waste tyres is subject to strict controls set out in existing UK legislation. Businesses involved in the export of waste from the UK are required to take all necessary steps to ensure that the waste they export is managed in an environmentally sound manner. Any UK operators found to be illegally exporting waste can face a two-year jail term and an unlimited fine.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim