The Tyrewise Story
Tyres help us every day.
They take you to school, get you to work on time, to your first date, deliver your food, help create memorable road trips. But when they’ve done their job, we need to do ours.
Moving forward together
For many years kiwis have been confronted with images of tyre piles, tyre fires and stories of tyre recycling projects gone wrong. Tyres are in fact a valuable resource and can make a positive contribution to creating a circular economy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tyrewise is the outcome of more than a decade of work. Tyre importers, retailers and others in the industry worked tirelessly alongside government to create a national regulatory solution so that old tyres will be used as a resource rather than wasted.
We are kaitiaki
The ruru is calling a warning and as a country we have responded. Our collective mahi has lead to a simple solution that benefits us all. Tyrewise will help us protect the future of te taiao, our natural world, for generations to come.
Whether it is getting rid of our tyres when we need new ones, providing a transparent booking system that reduces admin for Kiwi businesses, or ensuring old tyres get to the right processors at the right time. We can be proud we are solving a problem that has caused headlines for all the wrong reasons.
How it works
Tyrewise is a regulated product stewardship programme – the first of its kind in Aotearoa.
Tyrewise will minimise the environmental impacts of end-of-life tyres by managing these tyres from collection through to processing. Payments provided by Tyrewise for collection and transport will create sustainable income streams, while incentives for eligible processing and manufacturing along with R&D grants will stimulate the development of innovative end uses in the domestic market.
Tyrewise will track tyres through the process via a network of registered participants, with audit processes to ensure tyres are kept from illegal dumping, stockpiling and landfilling.
A level playing field
Over a decade ago, tyre importers, retailers and others in the industry came together to call for mandatory product stewardship for end-of-life tyres. They considered this necessary to create a ‘level playing field’ where everyone plays their part in reducing harm to the environment and communities caused by dumping, illegal stockpiling and landfilling.
In 2020, government responded by declaring tyres a ‘priority product’ and, in 2023, published regulation which means anyone importing or selling eligible tyres in New Zealand, whether loose or on a vehicle, has to act in accordance with Tyrewise. Simply put, they must work with Tyrewise to ensure tyres end up in the right place – adding value, not creating harm.
What is Tyrewise?
Tyrewise is the product stewardship scheme accredited by the Government to manage end-of-life tyres. It enables tyre importers and sellers to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their product when it reaches the end of its life.
The scheme’s role is set in regulation and in a number of contracts or deeds with the Government. These contracts or deeds are held by the not-for-profit Product Stewardship Organisation, Auto Stewardship New Zealand, which governs Tyrewise.
How is it funded?
Tyrewise is funded by replacing the ad hoc disposal charges with a fee paid on imports of all regulated tyres, whether loose or attached to a vehicle. These are called tyre stewardship fees. The funds are used to cover:
- management of the scheme;
- tyre collection services;
- incentive payments for processing and tyre-derived product manufacture in the domestic market; and
- research and development grants.
Tyrewise must report on how funds are spent and on its achievement of targets. There must also be a chain of custody for all collected and processed tyres, which we achieve through the Tyrewise tracking software.
What's my role?
Each part of the supply chain has its responsibility to steward tyres – from importers who pay the tyre stewardship fee, through to the processors who turn tyres into a useful feedstock for manufacturers.
Have your say
Tyrewise was designed by industry with support from Government. Once the regulation is in effect, the Tyrewise Working Group, which has represented New Zealand tyre and automotive organisations through the phases of design and implementation, will be dissolved. The group will be replaced with Technical Advisory Groups which will provide expert advice to Auto Stewardship New Zealand and the Tyrewise scheme managers.
If you want to lend your expertise, you can register your interest in any of the Groups.
