Tyre retailers, dealers and distributors all around the country have been signing up to an initiative that aims to track the supply of tyres in Ireland and promote their recovery when they become waste.
TRACS, the Tyre Recovery Activity Compliance Scheme, is Ireland's first such programme and is approved by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
TRACS was set up in 2008 to monitor the movement of tyres in Ireland, including waste tyres, and was introduced by the sector in response to new 2008 Department of the Environment Waste Management Regulations. About 55,000 tonnes of tyre waste is estimated to be generated in Ireland each year.
Since TRACS was set up, it has had an extremely positive impact on the Irish tyre industry. A database system has been created so all tyres can be traced from when they are imported to when they are sold, right through to when they are discarded, reused or processed for recovery.
The most responsible importers, manufacturers, retailers and waste collectors have registered with TRACS and industry practice has improved significantly with retailers changing their habits.
TRACS members now only give waste tyres to approved collectors and recognise that that they still have a responsibility for their management even after they are removed by the waste collector. This is great news for the industry and for the ultimate goal of properly managing tyre waste in this country.
Make sure that you choose a TRACS compliant dealer the next time that you need to change your car tyres. A full list of importers, manufacturers, retailers and waste collectors in Ireland who have registered is available on the TRACS website www.tracsireland.ie.