MEDIA RELEASE:
Tyre recycling in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific at large got a major boost today with Tyrewise Aotearoa and Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) announcing the formation of the Trans-Tasman Tyre Recycling Alliance (TTRA).
The alliance is a groundbreaking regional body dedicated to sharing knowledge, supporting market development and advocating for circular economy solutions for end-of-life tyres across New Zealand and Australia. In the near future, it will also have a strong focus on supporting the establishment of end-of-life tyre recovery in Pacific Island nations, many of which import their tyres from us, says Adele Rose, CEO of 3R Group, Tyrewise Scheme Managers.
“Tyrewise has demonstrated how quickly a regulated system can deliver high collection rates and meaningful recovery outcomes without leaving the cost impost on consumers at end of life, while TSA has over a decade of investment in research and innovation under its belt, accelerating use of tyre derived materials in its domestic market.
“By bringing each of our strengths to the TTRA, we can share knowledge and be the incubator for new technology that demonstrates how a regulated (in the case of New Zealand), well-supported schemes can foster greater circular outcomes,” she says.
“In addition, this helps us support our close Pacific neighbours who get new and used tyres from our respective countries, often without the resources to manage them when they become end of life.”
A shared vision
The TTRA will prioritise initiatives which create high-value, circular economy outcomes for end-of-life tyres, such as rubber in roads, advanced manufacturing, and the development of innovative products.
The five strategic focus areas include:
- Technology and innovation: Showcasing global best practices and facilitating connections between technology providers and end users
- Market development: Supporting demand creation for high-value tyre-derived products in infrastructure, manufacturing, and construction
- Policy advocacy: Advancing circular economy frameworks, procurement standards, and regulatory reform
- Knowledge sharing: Creating forums for industry collaboration and evidence-based decision making
- Regional voice: Australia and New Zealand operate in a global market where dynamics can shift rapidly. The TTRA will provide a unified voice for Australasia in international forums, ensuring our region’s interests and perspectives are represented in global tyre stewardship discussions
“This is about building resilient, circular economies that support jobs, innovation, and environmental responsibility,” Adele says. “The future of tyre recycling in our region depends on the kind of collaboration the TTRA represents.”
Next steps
The alliance will begin operating in early 2026, with governance structures and strategic priorities to be finalised in the coming months. Future activities will include regular industry summits, technical working groups, and collaborative research projects.
“TSA and Tyrewise Aotearoa will both keep their independent operations in Australia and New Zealand but will contribute resources and expertise through the TTRA,” Adele says.
