Central residents can now dispose of old tyres through a nationwide scheme at Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) transfer stations in Alexandra, Cromwell, Ranfurly and Roxburgh.

CODC has joined New Zealand’s first stewardship scheme Tyrewise, which started operating at the end of 2023.

The scheme puts the responsibility on tyre importers, manufacturers, and retailers to make provision for the products they make and sell, and to manage tyres when they reach the end of their life, to ensure they do not end up being dumped or sent to landfill. 

Tyrewise estimates that 6.5 million tyres are used in New Zealand annually and only 40 per cent of these are recycled or repurposed, leaving 60 per cent of tyres stockpiled, dumped or disposed of to landfill.

Tyrewise introduced a tyre stewardship fee on all tyres sold or fitted in New Zealand from March 1, 2024.

This fee covers the cost of processing tyres at the end of their life.

The scheme encourages consumers to leave their end-of-life tyres with the organisation that fitted them or where they were purchased.

Residents can drop-off tyres at CODC transfer stations, free of charge, for up to five tyres without rims.

Tyres with rims will need to have rims removed prior to disposal at CODC transfer stations.

Examples of the rimless tyres that CODC transfer stations will take. PHOTO: CODC

Commercial customers need to register with Tyrewise to manage their tyres directly.

Collection sites will not accept tyres from commercial operators from September 1, 2024.