Guidance

Using whole waste tyres in construction: RPS 161

Published 7 December 2018

This guidance was withdrawn on

We have withdrawn this RPS and replaced it with Using whole waste tyres in construction: LRWP 79. Please check the conditions in LRWP 79 as some of them have changed.

This regulatory position statement (RPS) applies to the storage and use of whole waste tyres in the foundations and retaining walls of buildings.

You usually need an environmental permit for a waste activity to store and use whole waste tyres in construction.

However, if you follow the conditions in this RPS you can store and use whole waste tyres in construction without an environmental permit for a waste activity.

Conditions you must comply with

You must meet all these conditions to comply with this RPS.

You must:

  • only use tyres that have been ram filled with earth or suitable inert non-waste material
  • cover stored tyres with waterproof material to prevent exposure to air and water
  • store the tyres in stacks of no more than 10 tonnes
  • separate the stacks by a minimum of 6 metres
  • only store 40 tonnes or less of tyres on site at any one time
  • write to your local Environment Agency office to tell us the location of your proposed construction project - you must receive confirmation in writing from us before you start work
  • get building regulations approval for the construction of the building

You must make sure that your activity does 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

An RPS means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you provided:

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

When to check back

This RPS will be reviewed by 31 March 2021. You’ll need to check back then to see if it still applies or if you need to apply for a permit.

Contact the Environment Agency

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.