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New Life for Old Tyres

New Life for Old Tyres - Tyrewise and Kiwi Ingenuity in Tyre Recycling

A great example is in Hamilton, where developers have laid New Zealand’s first recycled tyre footpath using rubber from old tyres. This innovation at Jack’s Landing subdivision shows how end-of-life tyres can be repurposed into durable infrastructure instead of ending up in landfills. It’s also a glimpse into the future shaped by Tyrewise – New Zealand’s new nationwide scheme for recycling tyres sustainably.

Hamilton’s Recycled Tyre Footpath – A New Zealand First

Hamilton City has literally paved the way for tyre recycling by installing a 207 m² footpath made from recycled tyres. The project uses Porous Lane, a permeable rubber paving developed in Australia and brought to New Zealand by Water Smart. The rubber crumb comes from Kiwi recycler Treadlite, made from shredded tyres collected under the Tyrewise stewardship scheme. Each square metre of path contains the equivalent of up to three old tyres – about 170 tyres given new life in this one project.

Beyond reducing waste, the recycled footpath is designed to last around 25 years, outliving many concrete alternatives. It feels softer underfoot, resists cracking, and its permeable surface allows rainwater to soak through, easing stormwater runoff. Studies also show this material can help capture pollutants, preventing them from washing into waterways. Local councils are already looking to use this type of paving in parks and tree-lined streets where traditional paths struggle. It’s a prime example of Kiwi innovation turning waste into value.

Tyrewise - From Waste to Resource at Scale

Tyrewise is New Zealand’s first national product stewardship scheme for tyres, ensuring old tyres are handled responsibly, locally, and innovatively. It launched in March 2024 to create a consistent, environmentally responsible way to deal with the millions of tyres replaced across Aotearoa each year.

Tyrewise aims to collect all waste-regulated tyres from 2024 and recycle at least 80% of them within New Zealand by its fourth year. These targets reflect an ambition to shift tyre disposal from waste to circular-economy resource. Rather than exporting tyre waste overseas, Tyrewise supports the growth of local recycling facilities, new product development, and onshore processing.

Through its network of registered retailers, collectors, and processors, Tyrewise funds the recovery and reuse of tyres under a small Tyre Stewardship Fee, introduced on all new tyres and vehicles sold in New Zealand. This fee helps fund tyre recycling initiatives, reducing environmental impact and ensuring tyres are processed sustainably. For more details, visit Tyrewise.

The result is a growing list of success stories. Tyrewise-supported processors are already supplying crumb rubber and other recycled materials for pathways, playground surfaces, sports courts, and roads. These efforts are creating Kiwi jobs, supporting local industry, and reducing the environmental footprint of tyre disposal – all while turning what was once waste into a valuable national resource.

A Cleaner Future Underfoot

Together, these innovations represent a cleaner, greener future for New Zealand. Instead of seeing mountains of discarded tyres leaching toxins, we’re seeing them transformed into eco-friendly solutions – from footpaths that manage stormwater to playgrounds and road materials. It’s a shift that protects our environment while supporting local economies.

Every driver can help by choosing responsible tyre disposal. When you replace your tyres at Tyrepower, you’re ensuring they’re handled sustainably through the Tyrewise programme.

Talk to your local Tyrepower team about responsible tyre recycling and discover how choosing the right tyres can make a difference for the environment.