The Tyrewise scheme continues to forge ahead, with over 19,000 tyre collections booked by 6,500 app users, resulting in over 1.12 million tyres collected for processing and recycling in a three-month period. 

The scheme’s recently published third milestone report, covering 1 April to 30 June 2025, details what it aims to achieve and how far it has come seven months after becoming operational.

Some highlights include the fact the target of transporting 18,000 tonnes of tyres to processors in this reporting period was exceeded, with some 19,800 tonnes of collections paid for. Payment accuracy sits at 100%.

The number of registered partners continued to grow, with 4,804 locations which can book tyre collections, along with 88 public collection sites in 13 regions. Work continues to establish public collection sites in the remaining two regions.

A survey carried out during the period with registered partners shows 92% of respondents are positive about the scheme in general, with 72% feeling ‘very positive’ and 20% feeling ‘somewhat positive’.

Importantly, the vast majority feel either ‘extremely confident about what their responsibilities are in the scheme’ (41%) or feel ‘very confident’ (44%). Only four percent feel ‘not very or not at all confident’.

Attitudes towards the effectiveness of the scheme in terms of it improving outcomes for end-of-life tyres, collecting tyres, reducing inappropriate disposal of tyres, and helping improve the sustainability of the industry, were also overwhelmingly positive.

Mark Gilbert, Chair of Auto Stewardship New Zealand, which governs the scheme says Tyrewise is making great progress. The scheme’s regulator, the Ministry for the Environment, is very supportive of the scheme and is pleased with progress, he says. 

“Tyrewise is more than just a waste solution – it’s an opportunity to build a circular economy, create jobs and protect our environment,” Mark says.

He notes there is still work to be done. “This is especially in the South Island where processing capacity is extremely limited.” The market development strategy and the Tyrewise Fund will be part of addressing this. 

“We’re actively exploring ways to expand infrastructure and link with projects like the New Zealand Transport Agency’s Rubber-in-Roading initiative,” he says.