CPCB Pulls Up 19 States For Disposing Of Tyres

NGT observed that more than 40% of tyre pyrolysis units were not complying with the rules, back in 2019 after receiving a report from the CPCB

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has pulled up 270 tyre pyrolysis units in 19 States to employ technology for safer disposal of tyres. Pyrolysis refers to a technique of recycling used tyres in which whole or shredded tyres are burned in a reactor vessel in an oxygen-free atmosphere, the end results of which are liquid oil and gases.

As the tyres are recycled at a temperature between 250 to 500 degrees, this technique is polluting and harmful to the labours employed. Pyrolysis is considered a safer method than the burning of tires but leaves behind fine carbon-matter, pyro-gas and oil as residues of the process. When not disposed of properly, these residues pose health risks.

The CPCB letter of December 4 states the closing down of all the non-compliant Pyrolysis centres in the selected States. The letter also puts a restriction on the import of used tyres, as, India is a recipient of used tyres from the U.K and Australia which are sent for recycling and disposal.

Because of the toxic emissions, the National Green Tribunal prohibited the burning of used tyres in the open or be used as a fuel in brick kilns in 2014. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), was asked to look after the ways of disposing of used tyres safely and also issued a set of guidelines in which pyrolysis was considered an acceptable model.

The NGT observed that more than 40% of tyre pyrolysis units were not complying with the rules, back in 2019 after receiving a report from the CPCB. According to the reports by CPCB, there were 637 units in 19 States, of which 270 were non-compliant, 251 units were compliant and 116 were closed.

Source: The Hindu