This system appears to work in most of the western European markets, the ETRA said, but the ratio of tire arisings per capita falling in the Mediterranean and Eastern European states.
The group noted that if the actual figure is higher than the accepted statistics, it raises questions about the standard of data collection and recording across Europe, especially regarding “missing” scrap tire arisings, which appear to be occurring under the radar of the governing bodies and governments.
In addition, the ETRA said the industry should question the way imports and exports are accounted for. Europe's internal borders are porous with online sales growing annually, the group said, and those sales are unaccounted for by the states that are the point of delivery.
The ETRA is an independent association open to those involved in the diverse activities that contribute to the tire recycling industry. Based in Brussels, the association states its goal is to assist in the realization of cost-effective as well as environmentally sound and commercially viable tire recycling activities.