§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has undertaken of the dumping of tyres, with particular reference to(a) their environmental impact and (b) the means to combat the practice.
§ Sir Paul Beresford[holding answer 13 February 19951: The Government are aware that a large number of used tyres need to be disposed of each year and that without proper disposal they can create environmental problems. Used tyres are controlled waste and as such are subject to stringent controls under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Section 34 of the Act places a duty of care on everyone with a responsibility for waste to ensure that it is properly managed from production to disposal.
In addition to these controls on the handling and disposal of controlled waste, the Government are supporting a number of initiatives designed to reduce the quantity of used tyres requiring disposal. These have the potential significantly to reduce the problem of scrap tyres in the future.
A consultation draft of "A Waste Strategy for England and Wales" was published by the Department of the Environment and Welsh Office in January this year. The issue of used tyres is discussed in greater detail in this document. A copy is being sent to the hon. Member.