New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme is now fully operational with free collections starting yesterday, September 1, says Environment Minister Penny Simmonds.

“The first priority product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres marks a significant step toward addressing a long-standing issue for our country,” says Simmonds.

“Every year, New Zealand imports around 6.5 million tyres. Of these, only about 40 per cent are recycled, reprocessed or exported. 

"The remainder often end up in landfills, stockpiles, or are illegally dumped. This not only wastes a valuable resource, but it also places a heavy burden on local communities and councils who are usually left to handle the cleanup. This will change under the new scheme.”

Industry has led the co-design of the scheme, known as ‘Tyrewise’, which will see end-of-life tyres collected, processed and turned into new products. 

Starting yesterday, tyre ‘generators’, like tyre shops, can have their end-of-life tyres collected for free. Members of the public can also dispose of up to five worn-out tyres per day, for free, at registered public collection sites around the country.

“With Tyrewise, New Zealanders now have assurance that tyre disposal will be responsibly and sustainably managed wherever you are based," says Simmonds.

A tyre stewardship fee funds the scheme.

The fee is built into the cost of the newly imported tyres that have entered the market from March 1 2024. It replaces the old system of ad-hoc disposal fees that many tyre retailers used to charge. 

“The tyre stewardship fee is similar to the disposal charges that New Zealanders were already paying, but with a crucial difference—part of the revenue will now be invested into local infrastructure and into research for new sustainable uses for end-of-life tyres,” says Simmonds.

"By collaborating with industry, New Zealand’s first priority product 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 2008: Priority product stewardship | Ministry for the Environment

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’ (EPU).  The fee has been set at $6.65 plus GST nationwide for a standard passenger car tyre. Refer to Schedule 2 of the regulations for more information: Regulations supporting tyre product stewardship | Ministry for the Environment

From September 1 2024, the tyre stewardship fee will replace existing ad hoc tyre disposal fees charged by many tyre retailers. 

Read more about Tyrewise: Turning Waste Into Opportunity – Tyrewise, Aotearoa New Zealand or watch a short video: Tyrewise or The Tyrewise story.