Tyre EPR in India

India is one of the largest automobile markets in the world, which naturally results in a significant consumption of tyres. Every year, millions of tyres reach the end of their useful life, creating a major waste management challenge. Discarded tyres are not biodegradable and if not managed properly, they can cause severe environmental and health hazards. To address this issue, the Government of India has introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste tyres. Tyre EPR in India is a regulatory mechanism under which producers, importers, and brand owners of tyres are made responsible for the environmentally sound collection, recycling, and disposal of end-of-life tyres.

Understanding Tyre EPR

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach where the responsibility of managing post-consumer products is shifted from municipalities and consumers to the producers. In the context of tyres, EPR ensures that companies manufacturing or importing tyres take accountability for the entire lifecycle of the product, including its safe disposal or recycling once it becomes waste.

The EPR framework for waste tyres in India is governed by the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, amended by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). According to this framework, producers and importers of new tyres or waste tyres are required to obtain an EPR authorization from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Objectives of Tyre EPR in India

The implementation of EPR for tyres serves multiple environmental and economic purposes:

1. Reduction of waste pollution – Prevents tyres from being dumped in landfills, rivers, or open spaces.

2. Promotion of recycling industries – Encourages investment in pyrolysis, crumb rubber, and other tyre recycling technologies.

3. Resource conservation – Recycled tyre material can be used in roads, construction, and as fuel, reducing dependency on virgin resources.

4. Circular economy – Promotes sustainable business practices by integrating waste tyres back into the value chain.

5. Compliance with global standards – Aligns India with international best practices in waste management.

Tyre Waste and its Challenges

India generates nearly 3.4 million tonnes of waste tyres annually, making it the third-largest generator of scrap tyres in the world after the US and China. The majority of these tyres end up in informal recycling units or are disposed of illegally, leading to:

• Air pollution from burning tyres in open areas.

• Soil and water contamination due to leaching of chemicals.

• Health hazards such as breeding grounds for mosquitoes in rainwater-filled tyres.

• Carbon footprint increase due to inefficient disposal methods.

These challenges highlight the need for a structured EPR regime for tyres.

Tyre EPR Registration Process

Any company involved in the production, import, or sale of tyres in India must obtain EPR registration from CPCB. The process involves:

1. Application Submission – Filing an online application on the CPCB portal with company details, GST, PAN, and product information.

2. EPR Plan Preparation – Submitting a detailed plan outlining how the company will collect, recycle, or dispose of the tyres.

3. Authorization from CPCB – After evaluation, CPCB grants the EPR certificate, specifying annual collection and recycling targets.

4. Annual Compliance Reporting – Companies must submit yearly reports on collection, recycling, or disposal achieved against the set targets.

Without EPR registration, companies face penalties, cancellation of licenses, and even legal action.

Role of Producers and Recyclers

• Producers/Importers – They must ensure proper take-back mechanisms, collaborate with authorized recyclers, and meet collection targets.

• Authorized Recyclers – They convert waste tyres into reusable products such as crumb rubber, reclaimed rubber, tyre-derived fuel, and pyrolysis oil.

• Government Authorities – CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) monitor compliance and enforce regulations.

Benefits of Tyre EPR Implementation

1. Environmental Protection – Reduces the ecological burden of non-biodegradable tyre waste.

2. Economic Growth – Creates opportunities in the recycling industry, boosting employment.

3. Innovation – Promotes new technologies like green pyrolysis, devulcanization, and rubberized asphalt.

4. Consumer Awareness – Encourages end-users to return old tyres to collection centers rather than disposing of them illegally.

5. Global Trade Compliance – Strengthens India’s position in global trade by meeting environmental sustainability norms.

Future Outlook

The future of Tyre EPR in India looks promising with government support and growing industry participation. However, certain challenges remain, including lack of awareness among small-scale manufacturers, insufficient collection infrastructure, and illegal operations by unregistered recyclers. To overcome these issues, the government is working to strengthen digital tracking systems, enforce strict penalties for non-compliance, and provide incentives for recyclers.

As India moves towards a circular economy model, Tyre EPR will play a critical role in ensuring that tyre waste is managed responsibly, recycled efficiently, and utilized as a valuable resource. The successful implementation of EPR in the tyre industry will not only protect the environment but also promote sustainable economic growth.