Waste management targets & strategies have become key political targets, reflected by the high level of investment in both demonstrating & integrating existing technologies, & the development of fundamental research into new ideas. European legislation & public pressure are furthermore adding weight to the need for a sustainable solution in the very near future.

One of the key areas of rubber recycling is concerned with the recycling of used tyres. Existing methods for tyre disposal include: Landfill, energy recovery, export, retreading, & reuse for low value products such as sports surfaces, noise barriers & roofing materials. Although progress has been made in recent years, efforts will inevitably intensify with increasing public pressure & political policies for stricter legislation, such as the European Landfill Directive which bans rubber tyres from landfill.