Guidance

Using whole waste tyres in construction: LRWP 79

Updated 1 August 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-risk-waste-positions-tyres-rubber-and-plastic/using-whole-waste-tyres-in-construction-lrwp-79

If you follow the conditions in this low risk waste position (LRWP) you can use whole waste tyres (List of Waste code 16 01 03) in building construction.

Conditions you must comply with

You must:

  • get building regulations approval before you use tyres in building construction
  • only use whole tyres in structural areas such as foundations and retaining walls
  • cover the tyres with earth or other coating materials so that they are not exposed to air and water
  • ram fill the tyres with earth or other similar inert materials for structural integrity

You must not:

  • store or use more than 10 tonnes of tyres
  • store tyres for more than 3 months before you use them
  • use tyres in foundations that will be below the water table

You must make sure your activities do not endanger human health or the environment. You must not:

  • cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
  • cause a nuisance through noise or odours
  • adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest

Enforcement

A LRWP means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you if:

  • your activity meets the description set out in this LRWP
  • you comply with the conditions set out in this LRWP
  • your activity does not, and is not likely to, cause environmental pollution or harm human health

Contact the Environment Agency

Contact the Environment Agency if you need help.

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone 03708 506 506

Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Back to top