Tyre stewardship program rolls out in Buller

From this month people and businesses in Buller can drop off their used car, truck, motorcycle, and trailer tyres free of charge in Westport, Reefton and Karamea.

All pneumatic (air filled) tyres used for motorised vehicles like cars, trucks, and motorcycles are accepted. Drop-off is limited to five tyres per person or company per day.

Tyres can be dropped off at the registered tyre collection sites at the Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations and the Karamea landfill during opening hours. Tyres need to be de-rimmed and be clean to be dropped off.

Businesses selling tyres, such as tyre wholesalers, tyre retailers, or tyre fitters, will have their tyres collected from their premises.

Tyrewise, the company approved by central government to run the tyre stewardship program in New Zealand, will collect all worn out tyres from the approved collection sites. It will also work on finding solutions to turn discarded tyres into new products, such as those used for playgrounds, sports grounds, arena dressing, or cement production. This is funded by the tyre stewardship fee included in the purchase price. 

Manager Infrastructure Delivery Mel Sutherland says: “This is good news for our district and will help our community to dispose of their old tyres responsibly.”

Tyres were declared ‘priority products’ under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 because in New Zealand, 6.5 million tyres reach their end of life each year and ended up in landfills.

The Ministry for the Environment announced in October 2023 that a circular tyre stewardship program would be established as part of the Waste Minimisation (Tyres) Regulations 2023 to combat this trend.

The regulation came into effect in two waves. From 1 March 2024, all tyre and car importers and retailers now sell tyres and vehicles to vehicle owners with the tyre stewardship fee included. The Ministry for the Environment and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi collect this fee.

The second wave will be rolled out this month, with approved collection sites taking used tyres from vehicle owners for free.

Part of the fee is also used to incentivise the development, processing and manufacturing of new products from old tyres.

This new system aims to create a circular tyre economy and imposes disposal responsibility on producers, importers, and retailers.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact: 

Community Engagement Team  
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz