New Zealand’s Tyrewise has hit the road with an amazing start, exceeding collection and recycling targets across the board

Tyrewise reports that, thanks to its great teamwork and partners, the new tyre stewardship scheme has been able to report considerably better results than had been targeted for the reporting period 1 September—31 December 2024.

• 21,200 tonnes of end-of-life tyres were collected (target 8,000 tonnes)
• 7,749 tonnes of end-of-life tyres were used in tyre derived fuel and products (target 5,000 tonnes)
• 7,098 tonnes of this was used in manufacture (target 5,500 tonnes)

This marks a real turnaround from the pre-Tyrewise free for all, which saw tyre dumps relocated rather than recycled. It sets the ground for successful tyre stewardship going forward.

The 21,200 tonnes collected might suggest that the target 8,000 tonnes was underestimated. However, with all the best intentions, no one can be sure how any such project is going to proceed in its initial launch period. Tyrewise has been incredibly successful in getting the tyre trade to register for the process, which has undoubtedly helped Tyrewise achieve its success.

There is currently a shortfall between the tyres collected and the tyres being recycled, and the real challenge for Tyrewise, as it is for every stewardship/EPR scheme, is to convert collections into environmentally sound recycling.

The one benefit that Tyrewise has is that as a non-tire-producing island country, it has detailed knowledge of every tire that enters the country legitimately. So, unlike many others, I can work with figures closer to reality.