The waste hierarchy

The waste hierarchy is adapted by the EU as the standard for the correct treatment of waste.

This is confirmed in the EU Directive 2008/98/EC from 19th November 2008 which can be downloaded from the download centre.

With respect to tyres, the disposal options on a global level are retreading, recycling, incineration and landfill.

The most beneficial solution for the environment is retreading. Retreading is, however, only economical when it comes to truck tyres. The second best solution is recycling into the original components of the tyre, i.e. the Genan concept. The third best solution is incineration in cement kilns. And the worst solution is landfill, which is now banned in large parts of the world.