South Africa to introduce recycling levy for tyres

Rubber and Wood  |  2012-01-19 04:08:08   |   By

South Africa will introduce recycling levy on tyres from February 1, 2012, according to Environmental Affairs Chief Director for Waste Management, Nolwazi Cobbinah.

PRETORIA (Scrap Monster): South Africa will introduce recycling levy on tyres from February 1, 2012, according to Environmental Affairs Chief Director for Waste Management, Nolwazi Cobbinah.

According to her, production and importation of new tyres in South Africa would be subjected to the R2.30 a kilogram levy, to be used for the collection and recycling of tyres by the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative SA (Redisa).

The levy is part of the Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan and would be put into effect and managed by Redisa.

The income generated from the levy charged to tyre manufacturers and importers would be used for the collection of tyres, distribution to recyclers, research and development. The plan aimed to create jobs and small and medium-sized businesses in communities throughout the country.

The South African tyre industry produces more than 10 million scrap tyres annually. According to Redisa, it is estimated that between 60 and 100 million scrap tyres are stockpiled in South Africa.

Waste tyres pose an environmental problem, both as pollutants and as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vermin. Apart from tyres being burnt for their steel, used tyres can be burnt for energy production, used in the asphalting of roads and in the production of shoes.

Cobbinah said she expected a total ban on tyres being dumped at landfill sites within the next five years.