A large stockpile of used tires is currently causing controversy in the Westerwald region: According to residents and media reports, several hundred thousand used tires are stored on a commercial property on the outskirts of Dornburg-Thalheim (Limburg-Weilburg district). The stockpile has grown steadily over the years. Concerned neighbors from the adjacent residential and mixed-use area have now formed the "Dornburg Citizens' Initiative – Environmental Protection & Safety".
The initiative explicitly emphasizes that it is not seeking prejudgment, but rather an objective, transparent, and independent assessment of potential environmental and safety risks by the responsible authorities. Four concerns are central: fire safety when dealing with large quantities of tires, the protection of soil and groundwater from contaminated firefighting or surface water, the protection of surrounding residential areas and public roads, and greater transparency from the authorities. According to residents, previous inquiries and complaints to the municipality, district, and regional government have so far yielded no conclusive results.
Used tires are often compressed, packed into bales, and exported. While they are temporarily stored on company premises, the quantity, storage conditions, spacing, access routes, and fire protection are crucial factors. The recurring fires in tire warehouses in recent months—for example, in Karlsruhe and Bavaria—demonstrate that these concerns are not unfounded. Such fires are difficult to extinguish, tie up emergency services for many hours, and produce heavy smoke, posing a risk to soil and water.
For the ZARE initiative – Certified Used Tire Disposal Companies – the case in Dornburg underscores the importance of binding standards and transparent processes in the used tire industry. Used tires are a valuable material for which regulated and certified recycling pathways exist – from mechanical recycling and retreading to further mechanical processing. Certified disposal companies are subject to clear requirements regarding storage, fire protection, and quantity limits.
ZARE does not assess individual cases – this is the responsibility of the relevant authorities. However, the initiative advocates for large quantities of tires to be recycled through certified channels from the outset. This helps avoid risks to residents and the environment before they even arise.
The citizens' initiative relies on the public's help – any factual support is valuable: document observations with date and location, provide organized photos or information, inform and invite neighbors, and remain objective and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims. Those wishing to participate can contact the initiative at info@buergerinitiative-dornburg.de.
Sources: Dornburg Citizens' Initiative – Environmental Protection & Safety (buergerinitiative-dornburg.de); Rhein-Zeitung / Rhein-Lahn-Zeitung https://buergerinitiative-dornburg.de/
