In Kuwait City’s Sulaibiya area every year gigantic holes are dug out out in the sandy earth and filled with old tyres – there are now over seven million in the ground.
The expanse of rubber is so vast that the sizable indents on the earth are now visible from space.
The European landfill directive means that this type of ‘waste disposal illegal in Europe – since 2006 EU rules have banned the disposal of tyres in landfill sites.All car and truck tyres must be recovered, recycled and reused.
In some circumstances tyres are shipped out to countries such as India, Pakistan and Malaysia, but there are strict laws about their exportation.
The Environment Agency says ‘While there is a legitimate export market for quality recyclable material, the illegal export of waste undermines law-abiding disposal and tyre recovery businesses in the UK and risks harming people and the environment in the country the waste is exported to.’
I – Word Understanding
Landfill – the disposal of refuse and other waste material by burying it and covering it over with soil.
Waste disposal – is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal, and monitoring of waste materials
Shipped out – departed for a sea voyage.
Legitimate export – to ship the goods from a country to another country in accord with export regulation.
Waste Undermine Law – sanction of a nation to veer from wasteful, destructive and polluting practices that contribute to environmental destruction.
II – Have your say
1.It’s a great surprised that Kuwait doesn’t use some of those tyres for creating asphalt roads.Rubber roads known as asphalt roads are also popular in China, Brazil, Spain and Germany. The technique has been found to cut traffic noise by about 25 per cent.
2.Because of the Tire round shape it may hold water for long periods of time providing habitat for mosquitoes.
Environmental Problem Associated with Waste Tire
1. Mosquitoes Disease
2. Fire Hazards
3.Due to constantly launching of new electronic products, the electronic waste (computers, printers, phones, cameras, televisions, refrigerators, etc) has increased drastically. Advanced countries such as U.S,Germany, United Kingdom and others areeyeing for dumping ground overseas.
Countries destination of E-waste
1.China
2.India
3.Philippines
097 World’s biggest tyre graveyard: Kuwaiti landfill site that is home to SEVEN MILLION wheels
