Tyres going full circle

The operational launch of the Tyrewise product stewardship scheme officially got under way on September 1.

It means “generators”, such as tyre shops, can have their end-of-life tyres (ELTs) collected for free and members of the public can dispose of up to five worn out tyres for free at collection sites around the country.

Tyrewise was officially launched on March 1 when a stewardship fee came into effect for newly imported tyres whether sold loose or on a vehicle or machinery. 

“The fee covers the collection and management of the tyres when they reach their end of life so they can be recycled or used in a new product,” says Adele Rose, of the 3R Group, which manages Tyrewise.

The old ad-hoc disposal fees many tyre fitters used to charge are no longer allowed under regulations that enable the scheme.

The start of free collections this month means consumers can rest assured their tyres will be properly managed at their end of life rather than go to landfill, be stockpiled or illegally dumped.

“New Zealand doesn’t have a great record on recovering and recycling tyres,” says Rose, pictured. “Of the 6.5 million which reach the end of their life each year, only about 40 per cent are being recycled. That will change with Tyrewise.”

The scheme has a target of 80 per cent of tyres recovered for recycling or use in new products its fourth year and more than 90 per cent by its sixth year.

Mark Gilbert, chairman of Auto Stewardship New Zealand (ASNZ), says the operational launch is a testament to the willingness and hard work of industry to create a sustainable solution for tyres.

“The ASNZ trustees and I are very proud of all the work the industry, working group, and scheme managers have put in to get us to this point,” he says. Having a national system in place for managing tyres throughout their lifecycle is an amazing accomplishment and no small feat.”

ASNZ provides the governance structure for Tyrewise and is recognised as the product stewardship organisation as required by the Waste Minimisation Act. This means the scheme has the highest level of oversight, accountability and transparency.

“The Tyrewise scheme has been more than a decade in the making, which only further goes to show how committed the industry is to regulated stewardship and ending the practice of sending tyres to landfill or stockpiles,” adds Gilbert.

You can find out more about ASNZ at www.autostewardship.org.nz and Tyrewise at www.tyrewise.co.nz.

Feedback on scheme

Justine Haves, general manager of waste solutions at Auckland Council, says Tyrewise will take the burden off local councils and ratepayers. These often foot the bill for dealing with illegally dumped tyres or tyre stockpiles that catch fire.

“Over the past two years, over 32,000 tyres have been dumped on public land across the Auckland region, costing the council and ratepayers more than $136,000 for responsible disposal,” she says.

“This doesn’t include specialist retrieval or costs to the environment when tyres are dumped in waterways or reserves. Throwing old tyres into landfill is also a waste of a valuable resource, which can be put to much better use.”

Cambridge-based company Treadlite processes ELTs so they can be used in new products. Director Brad Pierce says the business is based on the idea that a waste product can be turned into something of value.

“Having Tyrewise operational is great news,” enthuses Pierce. “We believe it represents a significant step forward in managing the collection and recycling of tyres as well as a move towards a more circular economy.

“We think it will foster the innovation needed so that we can build New Zealand’s capacity to deal with its ELTs onshore.”

Matt Lowther, of tyre specialist Tyretracks Goodyear Autocare in Hamilton, says he and his customers care about the environment. “It’s great that as a Tyrewise registered partner, I can assure them their ELTs are being managed responsibly and can go on to have a second life.” 

View from the Beehive

Penny Simmonds, Minister for the Environment, says the first priority product stewardship scheme for ELTs “marks a significant step toward addressing a long-standing issue”.

“With Tyrewise, New Zealanders now have assurance that tyre disposal will be responsibly and sustainably managed wherever you are based,” she adds.

“The tyre stewardship fee is similar to disposal charges New Zealanders were already paying, but with a crucial difference. Part of the revenue will be invested into local infrastructure and into research for new sustainable uses for ELTs.

"By collaborating with industry, New Zealand’s first priority stewardship scheme is a significant step toward a waste system that protects the environment.”

Tyres are one of six priority products for which stewardship schemes must be implemented under the Waste Minimisation Act. 

The tyre stewardship fee varies depending on the type of tyre relative to the international average tyre weight of 9.5kg for an equivalent passenger unit. The fee has been set at $6.65 plus GST nationwide for a standard passenger car tyre.