ZARE (Zertifizierte Altreifen Entsorger) – a German end-of-life tire collection and recycling organization – has reported that despite ongoing efforts to promote recycling, incidents of illegal waste tire disposal are not decreasing. ZARE emphasizes the need to shed light on this persistent issue and raise awareness among politicians about its scale. This approach is seen as crucial in order to bring about legal changes that would lead to tighter regulations and increased monitoring of end-of-life tire exports.

The annual production of large quantities of end-of-life tires, especially in commercial vehicles, underscores the importance of professional disposal to maintain their integration within the circular economy. ZARE aims to showcase various solutions at the upcoming NUFAM event in Karlsruhe on September 21 – 24, where it plans to inform the industry, policymakers, and the public about available options. ZARE will be in the dm-arena hall at stand C 400 daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ZARE's engagement with the European Union has yielded a response from EU head of department, Mattia Pellegrini. In this response, Pellegrini mentions that the European Parliament is set to adopt new regulations in the near future, aimed at strengthening the criteria for exporting waste, including end-of-life tires, to non-EU countries. This is aligned with the global obligations of the EU under the Basel Convention to address the issue of end-of-life tires.

The ZARE initiative is committed to establishing ongoing communication with the EU Commission, intending to collaborate to curb the unlawful export of used tires.