As reported earlier, this year, India plans to implement an EPR scheme for tires. The consultation document was released in January, and the system has already been eased.

In a letter from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to the All India Rubber & Tyre Recyclers Association (AIRTIA) and the Recycling & Environment Industry Association of India (REIAI), the ministry advised on the following easement.

“The Technical Review Committee had a deliberation in its 71st meeting held on 4th February 2022. TRC deliberated upon the issue and recommended that the condition: “Only multiple Cut (3 or more cut) Truck and Bus Radial tires in presses and baled form shall be allowed”, which is stipulated in the permission letter being issued by the Ministry at present, be amended as, “Truck, Bus, and other Radial tires, either in multiple cut or in Pressed & Baled form shall be allowed”.

This liberalized policy will only be available to units with a three-year track record, and the policy for other units will remain as earlier for other units.

Of course, this relieves pressure on India's recycling sector, and governments and EPR schemes around the world will undoubtedly breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that they can continue to send tires to India in the same manner as previously.

The burden of dealing with end-of-life tire exports is passed back to the nations, where not everyone in the tire recycling community is happy with the status quo.