SIGN UP TO TRACS

THE BEST TYRE COMPLIANCE SOLUTION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

This year, more than 25,000 tonnes of waste tyres will be generated in Ireland from 2009 supply numbers. Since the introduction of the 2008 Waste Management Regulations, any businesses of any size, with any involvement in the tyre supply chain, is prohibited from discarding waste tyres in any way other than transferring them to an authorised waste collector. 

Waste tyres continue to remain the responsibility of their owners, even after they have been collected. While tyre waste is being held and treated by the collector, ‘out of sight’ does not mean ‘out of mind’ for the retailer.

Businesses can sign up to a compliance scheme such as TRACS, Ireland’s first Tyre Recovery Activity Compliance Scheme, set up by the ITIA for its members to monitor the movement of tyres in Ireland. TRACS members allow their waste tyres to be monitored and only allow the collection of waste tyres by licensed collectors.

To make sure that tyre waste is properly handled, retailers and holders of waste tyres are also advised to ask their collector to produce proof of proper waste management such as a ‘Recovery Certificate’. Companies should be able to produce this when demanded by the relevant authority, to guard against having enforcement proceedings issued by their local County Council. 

Read on to see why TRACS is the best tyre compliance solution for your business;

1. TRACS fulfils all retailer legal registration and reporting obligations

Compliance with the 2008 Waste Regulations is a legal requirement for retailers. Some retailers still do not realise this. Since the introduction of the 2008 Waste Management Regulations, tyre retailers are prohibited from discarding waste tyres in any way other than transferring to an authorised waste collector. 

By registering with TRACS and only giving waste tyres to authorised waste collectors, retailers will be fulfilling their obligations in abiding by the regulations and promoting the proper management of waste tyres in Ireland.

At the moment, the regulations do not impose a specific environmental levy but instead allow the market to decide the cost of collection and reprocessing. With increased competition, the tyre sector now has a low cost and efficient compliance scheme which does not levy a deposit or collect a tipping fee.

Alternatives: If retailers do not take their responsibility for tyre waste seriously, the alternative is the imposition of a scheme by the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, that requires additional information to be submitted, that will require a mandatory non-visible deposit charge to be passed down through the supply chain and administered by a scheme that will also control the waste flows.

2. TRACS is supported by the ITIA and approved by the Department of the Environment

TRACS, Ireland’s first Tyre Compliance Scheme, is a voluntary initiative set up by the ITIA for its members. TRACS has received the full support of Minister John Gormley, his Department, as well as the tyre industry.

TRACS was set up in 2008 to monitor the movement of tyres in Ireland, including waste tyres and was introduced by the tyre sector as a response to new 2008 Department of the Environment Waste Management Regulations. TRACS’ members allow their waste tyres to be monitored and only allow the collection of waste tyres by licensed collectors.

3. TRACS saves you money

The minimal membership cost of €20 + VAT per annum + €5 per additional premises is significantly less than the amount involved in self-compliance. New members need to pay an additional one-off fee of €25.00 for permanent proscribed signage (ex Vat) for each premises.

4. TRACS is confidential and secure

TRACS has adopted the best security and data management systems available. Any information submitted is completely confidential and secure. TRACS is there to help and to be as flexible as possible with any retailers having difficulties supplying information.

No sensitive business information is required. Nor is information regarding values or commercial arrangements. Only the quantity and category of tyres is important. Country of origin, supplier details or the brand of imported tyres is not needed. All information received by TRACS is securely held in strictest confidence. Controls ensure that information is only made available to the Department as part of an aggregated group report. Information is not available to anyone in any other format. Anonymity is guaranteed.

5. TRACS protects retailers from possible fines and penalties

There are several consequences for businesses which do not act responsibly in this area. Non-compliant companies are putting themselves at risk of having enforcement proceedings issued against them by their local City or County Council, resulting in prosecution and a substantial fine.

Under the Regulations, all companies are obliged to provide individually detailed and complicated information and reports on a regular basis to their local authority or on an annual basis to the EPA. However, compliance is much easier for TRACS members, as information is compiled and reported annually, collectively and in aggregate on tyres placed on the market, waste tyre collection and subsequent management. 

6. TRACS manages all paperwork, leaving you more time to focus on business

Signing up to TRACS saves both money and time. The 2008 Waste Regulations impose significant monthly paperwork obligations on tyre retailers. Anyone who registers with TRACS benefits by being exempt from these obligations. 

Being a TRACS member exempts businesses from the preparation and submission of frequent and time consuming reports. These include the preparation of waste management plans and reports when submitting applications for registration, and the submission of a report to the EPA by the 28th of February each year. 

7. TRACS gives you peace of mind

TRACS members can rest assured that they are abiding by the regulations, meeting their obligations and ultimately reducing the problem of waste tyres in this country.

Businesses which have registered with TRACS clearly recognise the advantages of being a member. Members are happy that TRACS has taken on the difficult and time consuming task of compiling reports on retailers’ behalf.

8. TRACS is making a positive impact on reducing tyre waste

Since TRACS was initiated, it has had an extremely positive impact on the Irish tyre industry. A database system has been created so all tyres can be traced from when they are imported to when they are sold, right though to when they are discarded and reused or processed for recovery.

The most responsible importers, manufacturers, retailers and waste collectors have registered with TRACS and industry practice has improved significantly with retailers changing their habits. Retailers are now only giving waste tyres to approved collectors. This is great news for the industry and for the ultimate goal of reducing tyre waste in this country.

9. More than half of Irish retailers are now TRACS members

Most producers, retailers and collectors have already registered with TRACS. Those who have not yet signed up may not be aware that dealing with unlicensed waste collectors is now illegal.

A full list of importers, manufacturers, retailers and waste collectors in Ireland who have registered with TRACS is available on the TRACS website.

10. Signing up to TRACS is simple

Simply call TRACS on (01) 4100 601 and talk to Pat, or download an application form at www.tracsireland.ie. Filling in the form is easy, but TRACS personnel are on hand to answer any queries you may have. 

Tips on filling out your form

1. If you are an importer, simply fill in the units by category supplied in the previous calendar year, or the overall weight – you choose. We do not need to know the origin, but we do need to know where they are going if you do not replacement fit.

2. If you retail, we need to know where you got the tyres (if not directly imported), and what you did with your waste.

3. if you wish to use our Secure File Transfer System, just call us and we’ll set it up for you.

Remember, we are here to answer your queries anytime. Just call us.