New Zealand’s management of old tyres is changing.

Shortly, the first stage of government regulations designed to reduce environmental harm from end-of-life tyres will take effect, something the tyre industry has been working hard to get into place for years.

The first stage of regulation commences on 1 March, when a tyre stewardship fee is added to new tyres, or included in the price of a new vehicle. The fee will be used to manage those tyres at the end of their life. It will be applied at a standard rate across the country and has been set at $6.65 plus GST for a standard passenger tyre and will go up in increments depending on the size of tyre.

The fee payable on new tyres for their future management applies from 1 March. Existing disposal fees may apply on any old tyres disposed of up until 1 September 2024 at which time this must stop.

From 1 September 2024, Tyrewise will be responsible for arranging the free collection of end-of-life tyres from registered tyre sellers, garages and public collection sites. The scheme will also ensure the tyres go to registered processors and manufacturers, so they get a second life in a new product, rather than being landfilled, stockpiled, or dumped.

Adele Rose of Tyrewise says there’s a target of 80 percent of tyres processed by the fourth year of operation and over 90 percent by the sixth year.

Currently only about 40 percent of end-of-life tyres in New Zealand are recycled or used in the creation of new products.
“Specially designed software will track the volumes collected and delivered to processors and manufacturers so that we can measure and report our progress against the targets,” Ms Rose said.

“Our implementation team has been busy behind the scenes for months now, registering tyre importers, sellers, transporters, processors, and end market manufacturers, making sure everybody is ready to play their part. It’s amazing what you can achieve when an entire industry comes together to make a positive difference.”

The scheme will initially cover all air-filled and solid tyres for use on motorised vehicles for cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, forklifts, aircraft and off-road vehicles. Tyres for products like bicycles and non-motorised equipment such as prams, as well as pre-cured rubber for retreads will be brought into the scheme at a later date.
Consultation with stakeholders on these tyres is expected late 2024.