Turning tyre waste into opportunity
About 40% of the 6.5 million tyres Kiwis use to keep us moving every year are recycled, repurposed or used as tyre derived fuel. The rest end up stockpiled, dumped, or in landfill.
Together with our network of registered partners, we are kaitiaki, working to end tyre waste in every community in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This work is funded by the tyre stewardship fee paid on newly imported tyres.
Mahi tahi - our partner network
Leave your worn out tyres with your registered tyre fitter when you buy new ones. No disposal charges apply.
Or take up to five end-of-life tyres to one of our registered public collection sites. No disposal charges apply.
Our goals
40% of end-of-life tyres are currently being recycled, repurposed and used as tyre-derived fuel (approximately).
Our goal is that by the fourth year of operation, 80% of end-of-life tyres will be collected and processed.
Our goal is that by the sixth year of operation, 90% of end-of-life tyres will be collected and processed.
How we're doing
We collect data on newly imported tyres, as well as collections of end-of-life tyres.
All data since 1 March 2024 for imports, since 1 September 2024 for collections and outcomes.
187,580
3,324,484
3,215
603
20,165
1,401,634
469
9,900
1,409
*Data last updated on 21 Dec, 2024
What happens to the collected tyres?
Tyres are invaluable, so let’s not waste them.
Tyrewise supports innovative Kiwi solutions for end-of-life tyres, helping to keep products and materials in use for longer.
Find out some of the things that currently happen to your old tyres.
Ready to roll
After years of careful planning and consultation, Tyrewise has launched.
The waste minimisation regulations for tyres came into effect on 1 March 2024.
Everyone who imports or sells tyres must be registered with Tyrewise.
Transporters and processors will also need to register, as well as manufacturers who want to receive incentives.
From 1 March 2024
New Tyres
A tyre stewardship fee will be charged on all new tyres sold – loose or on a vehicle.
The fee is $6.65 (excl. GST) for a standard passenger tyre, but will vary depending on the type of tyre. For example different fees are payable for motorbike tyres vs tractor tyres.
The retailer or garage will tell you what the fee is for the tyres you purchase.
1 March - 31 August 2024
End-of-life tyres
Disposal fees may still apply on your old end-of-life-tyres until 1 September.
From 1 September 2024
New tyres
A tyre stewardship fee will continue to be charged for all new tyres.
From 1 September 2024
End-of-life tyres
Free disposal for end-of-life tyres:
There will no longer be any disposal fees on end-of-life tyres that you leave with your registered seller/fitter when you replace them.
Up to five end-of-life tyres at a time can be taken to registered public collection sites for no charge.
Enough is enough
We need to move forward to a future without tyre waste.
Join us in protecting our environment for future generations and reap the benefits of a nationwide solution for end-of-life tyres.
If you’re an importer, retailer, collector, transporter or processor of tyres, you need to register with Tyrewise.
As a registered partner, you may be eligible for free collections of end-of-life tyres, incentives to process or make new products from tyres, and more.
It couldn't be simpler
Whether it’s going on holiday or taking the kids to school, Kiwis don’t just rely on tyres, we rely on them being disposed of safely and responsibly.
Once Tyrewise is fully operational we’ll ask you to leave your old tyres with your registered tyre fitter when you have them replaced or take them to a registered collection site. Together we can create innovative solutions for old tyres. This will be funded by replacing the ad hoc disposal charge with a tyre stewardship fee that you will pay when buying new tyres.
Find out what Tyrewise means for you and your whānau.
Dumped tyres?
If you’ve seen a pile of illegal dumped or stored tyres, let us know and we’ll help turn them into fuel to drive Kiwi innovation.
Why Tyrewise
Tyrewise is how importers and sellers take responsibility for the environmental impact of their product. This is known as product stewardship.
Designed by industry and supported by government, Tyrewise helps us all work together to end the inconsistent disposal practices which lead to stockpiling, illegal dumping and tyre fires. The scheme also creates certainty around tyre supply and builds sustainable income streams for those creating new products from tyres.
Latest News
Tyrewise is working to end tyre waste in every community in Aotearoa New Zealand through innovative solutions to an old problem. We’ll keep you up-to-date.
Building a better future
Our place, our problem
Recycle, play, repeat
Tyre rubber in building foundations
Questions about Tyrewise?
There’s a lot to take in so we know you might have questions. Check out our extensive list of FAQs.
