According to FBC News, Fiji’s Environment Ministry is now investigating the impacts of unsanctioned disposal of end-of-life tires.

End-of-life tires present a “far reaching environmental concern due to serious risk posed by the chemical contents and toxins released from the decomposition of tires,” – says Permanent Secretary Joshua Wycliffe.

Wycliffe asserts that waste tires are a hazardous waste because they contain oils and heavy metals like lead which can persist in the environment, accumulating killer toxins across areas where end-of-life tires are stockpiled.

In addition, Wycliffe says that burning waste tires release hazardous toxins that pose serious threat to human health, including respiratory disorders and other lasting consequences.

According to FBC News, Fiji’s laws “provide for strict measures to prosecute and stop the improper disposal of tires and specially trained inspectors and prosecutors are on the lookout for such activities.”

Officials in Fiji’s Ministry of Environment assert that the Ministry is currently in negotiation with at least four international tire recycling technology suppliers to set up a plant in the Naboro Tax Free Zone.

It is also making efforts to end landfilling of end-of-life tires in the country and has been researching recycling technologies to put waste tire management in the country on sustainable footing.

Reportedly, the new approach of the government is supposed to not only recycle end-of-life tires but also shrink the size of Naboro landfill which, in turn, can save millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money. It is expected that the Ministry launches the program in 2020.

Article by FBC News.