Vaculug delivered a vital message to the waste tyre industry, setting out the critical role of remanufacturing in achieving a true circular economy for the UK. Speaking at the Tyre Recovery Association’s conference in Warwickshire, Managing Director of Vaculug, Jorge Crespo, underscored the urgent need for government policy to distinguish between and support both recycling and remanufacturing to close the loop on tyre waste.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
In his address, Jorge Crespo highlighted that while recycling is vital, remanufacturing, the practice of retreading tyres, offers far greater environmental and economic benefits than is being recognised. His address detailed how retreading conserves notable amounts of raw materials and energy by extending the life of a tyre casing multiple times. This process not only prevents millions of tyres from entering waste streams but also supports a domestic, highly-skilled manufacturing industry.
This message from Vaculug to the government added to the conference’s overall call for real reforms to government policy on British waste tyres. The presentation urged policymakers to act on the clear gap between stated circular economy ambitions and the current regulatory reality, advocating for a framework that prioritises the remanufacturing industry as a key pillar of a sustainable future.
Following his address, Jorge Crespo said, “The circular economy is not a distant goal; it’s a practice we live every day at Vaculug. We have the existing technological expertise and capability here in the UK to turn a used tyre casing into a new, safe and cost-effective product. This saves significant resources and reduces our reliance on imports.”
“To truly move forward, the government must create a policy environment that fully supports and incentivises this invaluable work. This should involve improving standards of new tyres, introducing retread tyres as a criterion in public procurement, addressing the challenge of single-use imported tyres and looking at the challenge of high energy costs,” he explained.
“We are ready to be a key partner on this road to reform, but we need the right framework to scale our efforts and deliver on the UK’s green agenda.”
