Each year, the EU generates around 3 million tonnes of end-of-life tyres, but only 50% are recycled, with the rest incinerated for energy recovery. While EU legislation has boosted tyre collection systems, mechanical recycling remains underused despite its clear CO₂ reduction benefits.

Recyclers face major challenges, including low market demand for recycled materials, lack of incentives, and a hostile regulatory environment. A recent EU ban on polymeric infill for sports fields — a major outlet for ELT-derived rubber — has worsened the situation, threatening the viability of tyre recycling in Europe.

To address this, EuRIC calls for urgent EU action aligned with the upcoming Circular Economy Act, and presents five key policy recommendations.