Today, January 14, the Cabinet has examined the information report of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Developement (VARAM) on the state of the management of end-of-life tyres in Latvia, approving a series of proposals to ensure the collection and recycling of end-of-life tyres.
Minister Artur Toms Plešs (AP!): “There are positive changes in the management of end-of-life tyres in terms of increased control measures. . However, further work is needed on improvements in regulatory frameworks and the creation of incentive tools to encourage the re-use of recycled tyres in the economy and to prevent them from being illegally disposed of or released into the environment."
The Ministry cooperated with the end-of-life tyre management industry in drawing up the information report.
The government has approved a proposal to gradually raise the end-of-life tyre collection target from 65% to 90% of the annual volume placed on the market by 2025. It is planned that the relevant regulatory framework will be adopted to meet this requirement by the end of January 2021.
The proposals aim to limit the introduction and distribution of second-hand tyres in the country by differentiating the natural resource tax rates for new and second-hand tyres. According to the report, with the involvement of the Ministry of Economy and the Competition Council, VARAM plan to carry out a study in 2021 that will evaluate the most appropriate model for Latvia for the management of all types of tyres.
On the other hand, in order to motivate the public as effectively as possible to engage in the transfer and recycling of tyres, VARAM will consider the establishment of a deposit or alternative system and, if necessary, to prepare legislative proposals.
The Ministry intends to evaluate the establishment of a register for tyres placed on the Latvian market for the first time, thereby improving the accounting and control. For the purposes of improving control, sites and volumes of end-of-life tyres will be regularly identified together with representatives of the tyre management industry, while the Ministry will evaluate the possibilities for increasing the administrative responsibility of land owners regarding site pollution, while implementing public education and information measures in conjunction with the industry.
Information prepared by:
Public Relations Department
Ministry for Environmental Protection and Regional Development
20200305; 67026533,
e-mail: prese@varam.gov.lv
www.varam.gov.lv