How many waste tyres are there?
Worldwide, an estimated 1.2 billion waste tyres are generated each and every year. Only a fraction of these tyres are currently recycled with the majority being incinerated, dumped or stockpiled. The United States generates over 240 million waste tyres every year and the number of tyres in the country’s stockpiles is estimated to be more than 500 million, some experts estimating as much as 3 billion. Australia generates around 18 million every year with roughly 20 million stockpiled. Japan generates about 100 million every year with approximately the same amount currently stored in stockpiles. In 2002, it was estimated that 250 million tyres were disposed in Europe and an estimated 3 billion were stockpiled. To say the least, waste tyres pose a very significant environmental problem.
