New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme is now fully operational for free collections with Environment Minister Penny Simmonds officially launching the initiative on Sunday.
From September 1, tyre “generators” like tyre shops can have their end-of-life tyres collected for free. Members of the public can also dispose of up to five worn-out tyres per day for free at registered public collection sites around the country.
Industry has led the co-design of the scheme, known as ‘Tyrewise’, which will see end-of-life tyres collected, processed and turned into new products.
“The first priority product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres marks a significant step toward addressing a long-standing issue for our country,” Simmonds says.
“Every year, New Zealand imports around 6.5 million tyres. Of these, only about 40% are recycled, reprocessed or exported.
“The remainder often end up in landfills, stockpiles, or are illegally dumped. This not only wastes a valuable resource, but it also places a heavy burden on local communities and councils who are usually left to handle the cleanup. This will change under the new scheme.”
A tyre stewardship fee funds the scheme. The fee is built into the cost of the newly imported tyres that have entered the market from March 1, 2024. It replaces the old system of ad-hoc disposal fees that many tyre retailers used to charge.
The tyre stewardship fee is similar to the disposal charges that New Zealanders were already paying, but with a crucial difference—part of the revenue will now be invested into local infrastructure and into research for new sustainable uses for end-of-life tyres,” Simmonds says.
“By collaborating with industry, New Zealand’s first priority product stewardship scheme is a significant step toward a waste system that protects the environment.”
Part of the Tyrewise fee goes towards funding grants for research and development in this area of end-of-life tyres.
“At the moment, the New Zealand market for end-of-life tyres isn’t very big – there aren’t many companies or industries making the most of this valuable resource,” Tyrewise says.
“That’s why part of your Tyrewise fee goes towards funding grants for research and development in this area. The more scientists and researchers we have coming up with new, innovative ways to use end-of-life tyres, the better.”
