Tire recycling volumes in Russia have increased fivefold

In Russia, a closed-loop economy is continuing to take shape, with capacities for tire recycling, which have grown more than fivefold over the past decade, according to Izvestia, citing Dmitry Tortyev, a member of the expert council of the State Duma's committee on protecting competition.

According to the Russian Environmental Operator (REO), currently, there are 24 tire recycling enterprises in the register of recyclers, with total capacities of around 525,000 tons per year. In 2014, the Shinaecology association reported that about 100,000 tons of old tires were sent for disposal, which accounted for no more than 10% of all waste tires in the country.

"The growth of capacities makes it possible to involve more and more rubber products in recycling and reduce the burden on landfills. The topic of tire recycling is especially relevant in the fall, during the season of mass "re-shoeing" of cars," REO noted.

REO reminds that old tires cannot be thrown into containers for household waste, as they are classified as hazardous waste of class IV and are subject to mandatory disposal. Tires can be handed over to specialized reception points, car service stations or tire fitting workshops that cooperate with recyclers, and for their placement in unauthorized locations, fines are provided for under Article 8.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation: for individuals - from 2 to 3 thousand rubles, in case of repeated violation - up to 5 thousand rubles; for officials - from 10 to 30 thousand rubles; for organizations - from 100 to 250 thousand rubles or suspension of activities for up to 90 days.

Old tires can be used to make rubber crumb for coating sports and children's playgrounds, additives to asphalt, and other raw materials for industry, the organization adds.

Photo: REO