The Knesset has passed a used tire recycling law. The law, which was proposed by Michael Nudelman (Kadima) and the Ministry of the Environment will come into force in six months time and it will also apply to national bus company Egged Israel Transport Cooperative Society Ltd., government organizations and the Ministry of Defense.
Under the law, tire manufacturers and importers will be responsible for collecting tires that can no longer be used and hand them in for recycling. Businesses selling and repairing tires will be required to store them in a manner that will prevent water accrual and environmental hazards. The law will also require them to regularly return scrap tires to importers and exporters, to avoid amassing large scrap tire dumps.
The law is based on an accepted rule in many countries worldwide, which holds manufacturers responsible for their products throughout their life cycle, including dealing with any possible environmental damage they could cause. It is believed that once the new law goes into effect, it will trigger the development of a recycling industry that will collect scrap tires from manufacturers and importers and convert them into raw material and new products.
Figures show that every year, three million tires are taken out of use and become scrap. These are dumped illegally and pollute open spaces and water sources. Tires that have accumulated water inside them have often served as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, including the Asian Tiger.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on January 24, 2007
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