End-of-life tyres represent a wasted resource, with only an estimated 40% of tyres currently being recycled; the rest end up in landfill, illegally dumped, or stockpiled where they pose a fire-risk.
It’s time for a solution.
Tyrewise is New Zealand’s first regulated product stewardship scheme for recycling used tyres. We expect to start operating in 2023.
Tyrewise was developed by companies and organisations representing tyre importers and suppliers, new and used car importers, tyre recyclers, motor services, and motorists as well as local and central government. Tyrewise and the Ministry for the Environment also consulted with the public to ensure everyone had their say.
We have all worked together to create a solution that is fit-for-purpose and fit for New Zealand. Together, Tyrewise will help prevent environmental harm instead creating jobs and adding value.
Tyrewise is the mechanism by which importers take responsibility for the environmental impact of their product, end-of-life tyres. It is known as Extended Producer Responsibility or more commonly in New Zealand, product stewardship.
Tyrewise doesn’t relieve importers of their responsibility, rather it challenges and supports them to reduce harm to the environment by helping to create a circular economy solution for tyres and drive change through the supply chain in line with the waste hierarchy.
Not only have Importers been part of the Working Group co-designing the scheme, critically they will pay the levy at first point of import which funds Tyrewise from its commencement date. Importers also contribute their knowledge and expertise through Technical Advisory Groups which support Tyrewise to achieve its aims.
Tyrewise will provide certainty around what happens to your unwanted tyres when you take them into a collection site or have your old tyres changed for new ones.
Tyrewise is expected to launch in late 2023. There are a number of actions that needed to take place before Tyrewise starts – this is called the Implementation Project.
From the commencement date in 2023, an Advanced Disposal Fee will be charged when loose tyres or new vehicles with fitted or spare tyres are imported into NZ. This fee will cover the cost to manage end-of-life tyres through the Tyrewise programme.
A proportion of ELTs are responsibly recycled or disposed of appropriately in landfills, but unfortunately many are not, leading to hazardous dumping or stockpiling. Even at retail level outcomes vary.
There are many examples of successful schemes abroad which achieve excellent recovery and recycling rates.
Good product stewardship starts with good design and minimising waste wherever possible. There are several things you can do to prolong the life of your tyres.
Tyrewise was first set up in 2012 to progress product stewardship for ELTs with a report presented to government in 2013. This was based on the then National Government taking the step to declare tyres as priority product using the provisions of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. When no declaration was made, the project was put on hold in 2015.
In 2019-2020, tyres were back on the priority list, the project was updated and the final report issued. On July 29, 2020 Government declared tyres a priority product under the WMA. In October 2021, the Minister for the Environment announced the accreditation of the scheme under the WMA and the final consultation.
During 2022 and 2023, Tyrewise will be progressing towards a launch date in late 2023. Check out the major milestones we will be working on to get Tyrewise read to go.
All members of the New Zealand tyre industry are invited to join us for a webinar on 11 August from 10am, featuring speakers from Tyre Stewardship Australia and Tyrewise Implementation Project Managers 3R Group Ltd....