UK enhances checks for waste tyre exports
The Environment Agency acts in response to waste tyre exports potentially being diverted from recycling for pyrolysis in India.
The agency says its review is prompted by concerns that regulatory gaps are allowing UK waste tyre exports to be diverted from legitimate recycling to illegal pyrolysis operations in India.
The review concludes four priority actions:
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Implement enhanced verification checks for waste tyre exports
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Train staff on UK Waste Shipment Regulations
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Strengthen partnership working
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Improve horizon scanning
The agency says that between 1 October and 15 December 2025, it:
- served 42 exporters with information notices to provide with information on their intended shipments
- approved 41 Indian recovery facilities that meet ESM standards based on the information provided
- rejected 13 facilities that failed ESM standards – movements to these sites are now prohibited
The agency says it will publish a further update in early 2026, and while their immediate focus has been on waste tyres, it is also planning wider reforms for international waste shipments.
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