Page 19 - Vaculug

The transportation industry is responsible for the Fmajority of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK1.
oritspart,theUKgovernmenthascommitted to a target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, yet existing transport policy and regulations are not aligned with this commitment. In turn, swift and significant regulatory changes will be required to achieve the scale of transformation that is
needed to meet this target2. According to UNECE, the transport industry represents 30% of GHG emissions in developed countries, and approximately 23% of a total man-made CO2 emissions worldwide. For the world to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius global target set by the United Nations (compared to pre-industrial levels), there is an urgent need for the transport industry to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by the year 20503.
Carbon emissions isn’t the only environmental issue that is impacted by the transport industry. Transport also contributes to landfill waste on a massive scale. Each year in the UK approximately 55 million used tyres reach the end of their initial life cycle, at which point manufacturers or end users are required to dispose of the tyres in an environmentally responsible way. Consider the number of used tyres generated on a global scale, and this number increases exponentially. Fortunately, not all end of life tyres end up in landfill. The options available to manufacturers and end users looking to dispose of their tyres typically include recycling, retreading or direct to landfill, the latter being the least favourable option from an environmental perspective. When looking at the first two options - recycling and retreading - among many others there are three major environmental benefits:
• Reduces the amount of material needed to manufacture new tyres or other products made from rubber.
• Reduces the amount of energy needed to produce new tyres and rubber products, thereby reducing the greenhouse gases emissions.
• Reduces air, land and water pollution caused by tyres dumped in landfills or in other natural locations.
Retreading, by definition, is a circular business model. The practice of retreading extends the life cycle of used tyres, giving tyres a second and third life in some cases. It also helps to prevent dumping of tyres on streets.
Tyres that have reached the end of their safe usage at Vaculug are sent to our recycling supplier, Murfitts Industries, where they are processed into rubber crumb that are then used to make products such as rubber mats for playgrounds.
Between our retreading and recycling efforts,
we take pride in being a zero-landfill retreader. Additionally, our retreading processes use 76 litres less oil and raw materials than required to produce an equivalent new tyre.
However, while we have made strides towards minimising our impact on the environment, we recognise we need to do more. With this in mind, we are on a path towards achieving carbon net-zero (scope 1 and 2) by 2030.
It is worth noting that while the transport industry certainly contributes to the many global environmental challenges today, it also plays a vital role in generating and facilitating global trade and development4 . In many ways, the industry offers a lifeline to cities and villages in remote regions of the world who depend on the safe transportation of necessities to their communities. Given the paradox between both the negative and the positive impacts made by the sector, it’s clear there is a pressing need for the industry to improve and optimise its operations through sustainable transformation.
In addition to the many environmental benefits that come with retreading, there is also an economic benefit to our customers and end-users.
The cost of a retreaded tyre is 40% less than
the cost of a new tyre, enabling us to offer our customers exceptional value and savings over time.
1 Source:https://bettertransport.org.uk/transport-and-climate-change, accessed May 2022.
2 Source: https://bettertransport.org.uk/transport-and-climate-change, accessed May 2022.
3 Source: https://unece.org/climate-change-and-sustainable-transport, accessed May 2022.
4 Source: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Transport_ Vision%26Summary_2.1.pdf, accessed May 2022.
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