Lawmakers in Neuquén, Argentina have introduced a bill to create a provincial end-of-life tire management plan aimed at reducing environmental damage and public health risks through proper storage, collection, recycling and final disposal. The initiative was presented by Deputy César Gass of JxC-UCR, with support from legislators from other political blocs, and entered through the filing office on August 10 as bill 18515. The proposal would ban several unsafe practices, including open-air tire accumulation, burial, dumping in public spaces, storage near natural water bodies and open burning. It would also require companies involved in the manufacture, import, commercialization or distribution of tires to receive used tires and store them in designated sites without charging additional fees for that storage, supporting a more organized tire recycling and waste tire management system in the province.

Bill creates a tire management plan

The proposed legislation establishes the Plan de Manejo de Neumáticos, a provincial plan for the management of discarded tires. Its purpose is to reduce environmental damage and negative health impacts by ensuring proper stockpiling and subsequent recycling or final disposal of end-of-life tires.

The bill was introduced by César Gass, accompanied by Brenda Buchiniz, Gerardo Gutiérrez, Juan Sepúlveda, Darío Martínez, Lorena Parrilli, Darío Peralta and Cecilia Papa.

Unsafe storage and disposal practices would be banned

Under the proposal, storing end-of-life tires near natural water deposits would be prohibited. The bill would also ban open-air accumulation, burial, disposal in rubble dumps, abandonment in public spaces, open burning, and disposal or transport together with other hazardous waste.

These restrictions are intended to address common risks associated with improperly managed tire waste, including large-volume accumulation, long degradation times and exposure to fire or disease-vector risks.

Tire sellers and distributors would receive used tires

Companies involved in tire manufacturing, import, commercialization or distribution would be required to receive end-of-life tires and store them at sites designated by the provincial executive branch. The proposed system would include reuse, recycling and final disposal routes according to future regulations.

The bill states that operators would not be allowed to charge additional fees for this storage. This provision aims to support collection and prevent discarded tires from being abandoned in unsuitable locations.

Provincial fund would finance tire management

The initiative would create the Fondo Provincial de Neumáticos Fuera de Uso to finance, promote and encourage the installation and development of the measures established by the law. The fund would be supported through resources assigned by the provincial executive branch, inspection and control fees on tire commercialization, donations and contributions, and revenue from fines.

The creation of a dedicated fund is intended to support investment in tire recycling, collection infrastructure and sustainable end-of-life tire management in Neuquén.

Sanctions and tax benefits included

The bill includes sanctions for non-compliance, ranging from warnings to fines between 10 and 100 JUS. Additional penalties may include suspension of activity for one month to one year, revocation of authorizations and closure of facilities.

The proposal also provides for tax benefits for businesses dedicated to sustainable tire management. These incentives are intended to encourage the development of recycling, recovery and clean disposal activities.

Lawmakers cite environmental and health risks

In the bill’s reasoning, Gass points to the growth of the vehicle fleet and the resulting increase in tire use. The text states that Argentina generates more than 140,000 tonnes of end-of-life tires annually.

The proposal notes that tires create environmental problems because of their volume and long degradation time, estimated at about 600 years. Improper disposal in public spaces can create habitats for mosquitoes and rodents, which may transmit diseases such as dengue and hantavirus. Open burning is also rejected as a solution because it releases gases and harmful particles that can affect the environment and human and animal health.

Recycling identified as preferred route

Gass argues that processing and recycling offer the appropriate route for managing discarded tires. The bill’s reasoning refers to possible uses including reuse in transport, tire-derived or supplementary fuel, and asphalt aggregate.

The legislator said different recycling methods are already available, but public policies are still needed to support collection, investment and the development of industries capable of recovering or safely eliminating problematic components from tires used in vehicles and machinery.

End markets seen as essential

The proposal emphasizes that the development of tire management and disposal methods, together with end-use markets, is essential to resolve the problem of improper tire disposal. The bill also refers to regulatory precedents from other jurisdictions as a basis for provincial action.

If approved, the plan would give Neuquén a more structured framework for end-of-life tire collection, storage, recycling and disposal, supporting circular economy goals and reducing the environmental and public health impacts associated with abandoned tire waste.

Article source: www.legislaturaneuquen.gob.ar.