Follow Us on Google
- Orders producers/sellers to comply with regulations
- Thumbs up value chain in tyre recycling
From Idu Jude, Abuja
The National Environmental standards and Regulations Agency (NESREA) has signed a working agreement with an organisation named Used Tyres Producer Responsibility of Nigeria UTPRO, to ensure a proper environmental enforcement on used tyres and other economic value chain.
The Director General of the agency, Professor Aliyu Jauro while performing the signing of the partnership agreement with the Chairman of the group Honourable Billy Nwaoye in Abuja Tuesday, noted that the body UTPRO, aims to enhance the management of End-of-Life (EOL) Tyres for the sustainable development of our environment, through recycling of the products.
According to the NESREA DG, tyres, with their intricate structure, play an indispensable role in the automotive industry. Without them, the production of motor vehicles, both in assembly and manufacturing, would remain incomplete. However, he said it is important to acknowledge that, like everything else, tyres have a lifespan and must be properly managed when they reach their end.
He noted that alarming statistics has revealed that a staggering one billion end-of-life tyres are generated globally, with approximately four billion currently occupying landfills and stockpiles worldwide. In Nigeria alone, the automobile sector generates around ten million tyres each year without environmentally friendly management traceability data.
Prof Aliyu, said these figures highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to address the management of EOL tyres in the country and in order to ensure the adoption of environmental best practices and promote sustainable development in Nigeria, which gave birth to the establishment of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency.
Further speaking, he said, NESREA as the enforcement arm of the Federal Ministry of Environment, is entrusted with the mandate of ensuring compliance with environmental laws, regulations, standards, guidelines, policies, and the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which Nigeria is a signatory; as well as prohibit the use of equipment or processes that undermine environmental quality, among other powers.
He informed that to ensure protection of the environment, public health and biodiversity, the Agency has operationalised 34 national environmental regulations, including the National Environmental (Domestic and Industrial Plastic, Rubber, and Foam sector) Regulations, where tyres are encapsulated.
While appreciating efforts of Used Tyre Producer Responsibility Organisation (UTPRON) for the establishment of this organisation in partnership with the Agency to tackle and control the menace of EoL Tyres, commended it’s efforts as a third party producer responsibility organisation PRO established within collective Extended producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to effectively implement programmes aimed at combating the issue of waste management.
while speaking, Chairman of UTPRO, Hon. Billy Nwaoye, explained that UTPRON, is a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the management of used tyres in Nigeria, with the emphasis that current problem the country face stems from the alarming rate at which used tyres are being discarded in Nigeria.
These discarded tyres he pointed out, pose a significant threat to the environment, public health, and safety. Improper disposal methods, such as burning or dumping tyres in open spaces, release toxic fumes and chemicals into the air, water, and soil, leading to severe environmental degradation.
Further speaking,a he said that stagnant water collected in these discarded tyres provides a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes, amplifying the risk of vector-borne illnesses.
“Nigeria is home to an ever-increasing number of cars, with the current estimate exceeding 11.8 million vehicles. About 400,000 vehicles are imported into the country annually. Consequently, this vast number of vehicles necessitates a corresponding number of tyres. Annually, Nigeria generates over 10 million used tyres, and this number is anticipated to rise significantly in the coming years.
Moreover, the importation of vehicles into the country continues unabated, leading to a surge in tyre production and, unfortunately, an escalation in tyre disposal problems.
Hon Billy alluded that the problem of used tyre disposal is not isolated, it is rapidly expanding. He said that the current rate of growth is not sustainable, and if left unaddressed, it will have far-reaching consequences.
“The increasing number of discarded tyres exacerbates the risk of environmental pollution and poses a direct threat to our communities. It is imperative that we take immediate action to mitigate these risks and safeguard the future of our nation. This is why Extending the responsibility of Producers to manage the impact of their product brand post consumer use to it’s End of Life Will go a long way to effectively address this problem in a sustainable way.
“The Significance of Today’s Partnership,
recognising the urgency of this matter, UTPRON is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership aimed at tackling the issue of used tyre disposal head-on. Through collaboration, we are bringing together the expertise, resources, and commitment necessary to implement effective solutions that will curtail the growing menace of used tyre disposal.”
