A warning shot has been fired at tyre retailers who illegally store and process waste tyres, after the Environment Agency prosecuted a Manchester-based firm.

Rochdale Magistrates Court fined the company, Sabre Tyres (Euro) Ltd and A&S Sabre Tyre Recycling Centre Ltd, £3000 after waste tyres were stored and treated on an unlicensed site in the city.

An Environment Agency investigation found Sabre was using a site that did not have a waste management licence. Officers found an operational tyre-shredding machine and over 1100 tyres on the site.

Sajad Hussain, a director of A&S Sabre who was in charge of the site, estimated that of the 20 tonnes of tyres stored on-site, 45-50 per cent would be remoulded and 25-30 per cent resold. Up to 10 per cent would be processed and the remainder sold on to the African market.

Fran Lowe, the Environment Agency's tyre programme manager, says the agency is not just targeting those who illegally dump tyres, but those who attempt to gain financial advantage over their competitors by operating without organisation.

“The operation in Rochdale had been given numerous opportunities to rectify the situation, but had chosen not to do so, ” she says.

Meanwhile, internet tyre firm Tyreserve says it is to add a £1 charge to all fleet transactions to cover improved disposal arrangements, including using the rubber content of old tyres for playground surfacing and road-building materials.