Tyres collected tops 4m

Tyrewise, the country’s first regulated product stewardship scheme for old rubber, is celebrating its first year of operation.

So far, nearly four million end-of-life tyres (ELTs) have been collected for recycling or repurposing into other useful products and there are now more than 5,000 registered partners nationally

“Tyrewise isn’t just New Zealand’s first regulated product stewardship scheme, it’s also the most successful product stewardship scheme in the country to date,” says Adele Rose, chief executive of the 3R Group, which manages the scheme.

It has surpassed its targets for tyres collected and processed into tyre-derived materials since it began operating on September 1 last year.

Rose, pictured, adds: “That’s encouraging as it has a target of 80 per cent of tyres recycled and repurposed into other useful products in Aotearoa New Zealand by its fourth year, and more than 90 per cent by its sixth year.”

As part of the strategy to develop end markets and support the domestic economy, expressions of interest in funding were recently invited. This attracted around 60 applications across research and development, emerging markets and community development categories.

“It’s exciting to see such an interest in the fund,” says Rose. “A major goal of Tyrewise is to help develop innovative, high-value onshore uses and unlock the value in the circular economy for ELTs. 

“Tyres are going from being a waste stream to a resource which creates jobs and adds value to the economy, rather than being illegally dumped, stockpiled or landfilled.”

Mark Gilbert, chairman of Auto Stewardship NZ, which governs the Tyrewise scheme, says its success comes down in large part to its registered partners. 

“Those registered partners – importers, retailers, tyre fitters, transporters, recyclers and public-collection sites – make up the scheme,” he explains. “Without them doing the mahi, what we’ve achieved so far wouldn’t be possible. We thank them for their work thus far and look forward to continuing the momentum.”

Tyrewise operates the nationwide collection and recycling system. It is funded through a stewardship fee, which is charged on all new tyres sold in New Zealand. It has replaced previous ad-hoc disposal charges and has removed the impact of free riders who didn’t participate under a voluntary scheme.

It means members of the tyre industry have access to a collection service via a network of registered partner transporters, with retailers retaining ELTs from customers for collection.

Members of the public can dispose of up to five tyres at a time for free at public collection sites around the motu.