Environmental management of tyres: key points and regulations

If you are interested in environmental tyre management, here is an overview of the essentials: what current regulations say, how to organise the collection, recycling and recovery of end-of-life tyres (ELTs), and what best practices to apply to avoid risks and penalties.

What is an EOL tyre and why does it matter?

End-of-life tyres (EOL) are tyres that are no longer suitable for use, except for retreading/recycling. The Spanish and European framework prioritises prevention, preparation for reuse, recycling and, only then, recovery over disposal.

Key regulations (Spain + EU)

• Spain – Royal Decree 1619/2005 (and consolidated text): establishes the legal framework for the production and management of ELTs and the priority of reduction → preparation for reuse → recycling → recovery. boe.es

• Spain – Royal Decree 712/2025 (in force): updates the framework for ELTs, strengthens traceability, authorisations and registration, and prohibits abandonment/dumping. Requires a deposit for managers (except transporters) and alignment with Law 7/2022. boe.es
• MITECO (official portal): summary of tyre flow and management cycle (workshop → authorised manager → preparation/recycling/recovery). miteco.gob.es

• EU – Hierarchy and circular economy: legal basis for prioritising prevention and recycling; the EU is also working on associated risks (e.g. microplastics from abrasion and measures in Euro 7 regulations). europarl.europa.eu

Environmental management cycle (step by step, simple)

1. Disassembly and sorting in the workshop: Separate reusable/retreadable from NFU. Documentation and removal by authorised manager. 

2. Transport and reception: Authorised operators registered in the Production and Management Register. Weighing and delivery notes.

3. Treatment

   • Preparation for reuse/retreading (where feasible).

   • Mechanical recycling: rubber granules/powder; UNE/EN standards for quality (dimensions, impurities).

   • Recovery: material routes (steel/textile) or energy when there is no material alternative. Priority always given according to hierarchy.

4. Traceability and reporting: Records, contracts and, where applicable, bond required by RD 712/2025 for certain managers.

What is obtained from NFU (and what it is used for)

• Rubber granules and powder (with steel/textiles separated) for: elastic bases, sports flooring, bituminous mixtures, safety flooring. Environmental product certification (EPD) and UNE/EN standards guarantee traceability and quality.

• Energy recovery: non-recyclable fractions can be used as alternative fuel in intensive industries, in accordance with the hierarchy and emissions regulations.

Key decisions for ‘circular and safe’ management

• Prioritise reuse/retreading whenever it passes technical inspection.
  

• Standardise the recycled product (grain size, impurities, steel/textile free) with UNE-EN 14243 and sector specifications.

• Control emerging risks: follow European developments on microplastics and tyre abrasion (Euro 7).
  

• Only hire authorised managers and verify their registration and insurance/bonds.

European data and context (to guide objectives)

The EU promotes extended producer responsibility systems and the improvement of material recycling over energy recovery, while financing innovation (e.g. LIFE and CORDIS projects for devulcanisation and new uses).

How we can help you at Reverter Industries

• Pre-treatment and conditioning: selection, crushing and screening to obtain stable size curves.
  

• Line integration: steel/textile separation, dust control and safety.

• Process engineering: layout, automation and KPIs.

Find out about our crushing solutions and contact us to assess your case.

Recommended reading

• BOE — RD 712/2025 (NFU) and RD 1619/2005 (context). boe.es

• MITECO — Tyres: flow and management cycle. miteco.gob.es

• CINEA/Commission — LIFE projects in NFU (EU innovation). cinea.ec.europa.eu

• CORDIS (European Commission) — NFU: from waste to resource (projects and results). cordis.europa.eu

• UNE — Standards for materials from ELT (CTN 53/SC 9). une.org

• EPRS (European Parliament) — Microplastics and Euro 7 (context of abrasion regulation). europarl.europa.eu

Conclusion

The environmental management of tyres is a real opportunity to convert complex waste into valuable materials and energy, complying with increasingly clear regulations. With authorised managers, traceability, quality pre-treatment and measurable objectives, you raise the environmental bar and avoid risks.

Would you like us to review your ELT chain and propose a treatment line with KPIs and legal requirements? → Let’s talk