National Bicycle Tyre Recycling Scheme to be launched later this year

Whilst cycling is arguably one of the most environmentally conscious of sports, we do, sadly generate more landfill than many others. In 2018 the ACT helped conduct a survey which led to the assessment that 44,000 tonnes of waste bicycle tyres and inner tubes enter UK landfill every year. This figure is set to rise as participation continues to increase.

Each year in the UK:

• 30,500,000 tyres are disposed of
• Along with 152,500,000 inner tubes
• Over 99% of these end up in landfill
• This is in excess of 44,000 tonnes
  

Following the survey, work began on developing a UK collection and recycling scheme for bicycle tyres and inner tubes which is set to be rolled out nationwide. All of the rubber collected will be reprocessed into new materials or re-used in other ways, with zero going to landfill and none exported.

The scheme will see participating bike stores, workshops, hire schemes and cycle refurbishment centres all become local collection points. The cost of running the scheme will be funded by consumers by means of charging a recycling levy on every scrap tyre received.

The National Bicycle Tyre Recycling Scheme is to be run by Velorim Limited, whose Chief Executive, Dave Hawthorn commented, ‘It is important that we, the UK cycling industry, get our house in order before the government makes the disposal of bicycle tyres illegal. Once we have, we can then rightly re-claim the position of being the most environmentally responsible of sports.'

The UK government has signalled its intent to outlaw the disposal of several troublesome waste streams and bicycle tyres are set to be included. The dumping of automotive tyres has been illegal since 2003 yet bike tyres, technically almost identical, have been overlooked principally due to the absence of a viable recycling scheme.

To find out more and to apply to become a local collection point, or Velorim Centre as they will be known, visit www.velorim.co.uk.