Ban on Vehicle Tyre Disposal at Highland Council Recycling Centres

Householders are advised that from the 1st of April 2019 vehicle tyres will no longer be accepted for disposal at Highland Council Household Waste Recycling Centres.  

The Highland Council currently disposes of 22% more waste per person than the Scottish average.  As vehicle tyres are not classified as household waste the Council is not statutorily obliged to accept them and alternative options for their disposal are available.  Householders can also dispose of unwanted tyres through the network of garages and tyre dealers in Highland that will accept old tyres and recycle them on their behalf for a small fee e.g approximately £2 per tyre.  

The measure was outlined in the Council’s change programme “A Sustainable Highland” and approved by Elected Members on the 14th of February 2019. The programme is aimed at helping to bridge the Council’s £60 million budget gap that it faces over the next three years.   

Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee said: “The restriction on disposing of tyres at Highland Council Household Waste Recycling Centres is aimed at encouraging householders to take more responsibility for their waste and is anticipated to deliver a saving of approximately £70,000 a year, which is the current annual cost of disposing of tyres from Highland Recycling Centres.”  

He continued: “From the 1st of April the Highland Council’s Bulky Uplift Service will also be expanded to include collection of car sized tyres and wheels.  This is intended to provide householders with another means of getting rid of unwanted tyres, whilst allowing the Council to recover the cost of collection and disposal. 

“By considering the durability of the items we buy and how easily they can be maintained, reused or recycled at the end of their useful life, we can all make a significant contribution to reducing waste and moving towards a more circular economy in Highland.”

Householders are reminded that vehicle tyres cannot be landfilled and therefore cannot be disposed of in refuse bins.   Householders should also be aware that any business which offers to collect their tyres should be a registered waste carrier.

For more information e-mail recycle@highland.gov.uk or call 01349 886603.